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Requesting Patient Care Records

BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) recognizes that your personal health information is private and is committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of your personal health records. To protect the privacy of your personal health records, BCAS currently has a number of regulations and practices in place. Unless the BCAS is required to disclose your personal health records for law enforcement purposes, or is specifically authorized to share your records with others (e.g., through a court order), we cannot and will not give out any of your records without your consent. If you provide consent to let a family member or your legal representative obtain your personal health records, then the family member or legal representative may be permitted to access the parts of your personal health record which you have specified. Protection of privacy also applies to deceased persons, and the release of a deceased person's health records to a third party must be fulfilled by certain requirements. These requirements are detailed below for your reference.

In order to obtain a copy of your personal health records, which is held by the BCAS, please complete the Application for the Release of Patient Care Records form. Please note that any information you submit with this application is collected and all records released are under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

We ask that you take a moment to read the Application Instructions before submitting your application.

Application Instructions

Please note: We will return your application to you if you have not completed all required sections.

Step 1: Complete the Following Sections on the Application

Part 1: Please fill out this section completely. If you do not know the exact time of ambulance service, provide your best estimate.

Part 2: Check the box corresponding to the records you would like. Please note that a separate application must be filled out for each separate ambulance call.

Part 3: Please fill out this section completely. You must include a daytime telephone number at which you can be reached if we need to contact you.

Part 4: If you are the patient requesting your own records and are 12 years of age or older, sign and date this section.

Please note: Parents/guardians must obtain their child’s written authorization if requesting records for a child 12 years of age or older.

Part 5: If the patient is under 12 years of age or otherwise unable to consent (e.g., mentally incompetent, deceased), complete this section in full, including the reason for your request. If you require more space, please attach a separate sheet to the application. Please note you must include supporting documentation if applicable.

Please note: If you are requesting the records of a deceased person, you MUST ensure that your application includes the following:

  1. A copy of the deceased's will, letters probate, or letters of administration naming you (or the requestor) as the deceased's representative.
  2. If no personal representative is named, you may act on the deceased's behalf if you are their nearest relative. Those who may act have priority in the following order: spouse, child of mature age (12 or older), parent, sibling, and other next of kin who have reached the age of majority.
  3. You must provide a comprehensive explanation for the reason you are seeking the deceased's information, including setting forth how you are acting in the deceased's best interests by requesting the information.
  4. The personal representative or nearest relative's signature on the application.

Step 2: Mail or fax us your completed application

Mail:
Patient Care Records
BC Ambulance Service Provincial Headquarters
PO Box 9600 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9P1

Fax: 250-953-3119

Please do not send duplicate requests, as this may delay processing.

Have questions or need help?

Call us at: 250-953-3147

Published: December 3, 2003 | Last Edit: Thursday, August 28, 2008