Lombardy Healthcare Authorities Urge Respect for Privacy in Free Medical Record Requests

A pensioner and a woman hospitalized in Lombardy were charged €30 and €64 respectively for copies of their medical records, despite regulations stating the first copy should be free. These charges, common across major hospitals in the region, contradict the legal right to free access to health documentation and raise concerns over the proper exercise of patients’ rights.

The SPI CGIL Lombardia, represented by Federica Trapletti, reported these irregularities to regional authorities, prompting an investigation by the Regional Ombudsman. The region confirmed that patients are entitled to one free copy of their medical records, and directives will be issued to ensure compliance. Cases have also been forwarded to Federconsumatori to support affected individuals through potential legal actions.
Italian Version