TRIM: D23-51783
Ms Melanie Steiger
Via email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Ms Steiger
Transfer of freedom of information request to another agency
I refer to your request for access to data relating to involuntary hospitalisations for men and
women in New South Wales between 2020 and 2023 under the
Freedom of Information Act
1982 (FOI Act).
Thank you for sharing your experience and the events which have resulted in this request. I
offer my condolences for the loss of your son in such tragic circumstances. If you wish to, I
suggest contacting the hospital in the first instance, to seek further information on your son’s
treatment and if required follow the appropriate complaint channel with the hospital.
If you are not satisfied with their responses or the information provided, you may wish to contact
the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission
(https://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/) I am writing to tell you that I have transferred your request to the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare (AIHW). Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, I am able to transfer a request if the
requested document is not in my possession but in the possession of another agency or if the
subject matter of the document is more closely connected with the functions of another agency.
Accordingly, on 20 October 2023 I transferred your request which relates to involuntary
hospitalisations for men and women between 2020 and 2023 to the AIHW whose functions are
more closely connected to the subject area.
We received your request on 16 October 2023 and the 30-day statutory period for processing
your request commenced from the day after that date. The AIHW will treat your request as
though it received it the same day that we did. You should therefore expect a decision from the
AIHW by 16 November 2023. The period of 30 days may be extended if the AIHW needs to
consult third parties or for other reasons. They will advise you if this happens.
If you have any questions, please contact the FOI Officer at AIHW, Clare Sorensen, on 02 6244
1000 or email
xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Chris Leahy
Chief Operating Officer
23 October 2023
GPO Box 5480, Sydney NSW 2001
T: (02) 9126 3600 | W: www.safetyandquality.gov.au | E
: xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx