Crewdson v Central Sydney Area Health Service

Crewdson applied to the Central Sydney Area Health Service for an amendment to his health records, alleging the information contained therein was incorrect, out-of-date, or misleading. The Health Service refused the amendment. Crewdson then sought judicial review of this decision in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The matter proceeded to the Court of Appeal.

The central legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the *Freedom of Information Act 1989* (NSW) provided a mechanism for a person to seek a collateral review of the merits or validity of official actions or decisions by applying to amend official records.

The Court of Appeal held that the *Freedom of Information Act 1989* (NSW) was not intended to be a vehicle for collateral review of the merits or validity of official actions. The purpose of an application for amendment of records under the Act was to correct factual inaccuracies or outdated information, not to challenge the underlying decision-making process or the substance of official actions. The Court found that Crewdson was attempting to use the amendment process to challenge the validity of the medical treatment and decisions made by the Health Service, which was outside the scope of the Act.

The appeal was dismissed with costs.