Criticism of Sahlgrenska University Hospital for slow and deficient processing of two requests for access to official documents

Summary of the decision: Two persons submitted requests to Sahlgrenska University Hospital for copies of their respective medical records. In one case, it took almost 10 weeks before the authority released the documents. In the other case, the authority was unable to find the request and it was only after a second request was submitted that the documents were released. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman criticises Sahlgrenska University Hospital for its slow and deficient processing of both requests for disclosure.

The archives unit processes most requests for access to medical records submitted to the various organisations within Sahlgrenska University Hospital. It has become apparent that the unit has a long-standing problem with complying with the requirement of the Freedom of the Press Act (SFS 1949:105) that such requests be promptly dealt with. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman underlines that the principle of public access to information is central to Swedish law and a cornerstone of our democracy. He presumes that the authority will now take appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the constitutional requirement for prompt processing in future.