McGill University Health Center refuses to handover deceased son's medical records

Robert Duval still lives with the pain left by the death of his son, Jonathan Fontaine-Duval. He would like to know how a man at the edge of his life can suddenly die. But the McGill University Health Center refuses to give him his  medical records.

Duval believes, this is the missing key to understanding what happened to his 34-year-old son. He had been treated for a few months for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he explains, but he was cured. Five days before his death, on January 13, 2016, he had undergone his last treatment.  But ultimately it was not because of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but because of his diabetes, “he said.
Were errors made during his treatment? Was his medication appropriate? Asks M. Duval. “The coroner’s report strongly suggests that there have been medical errors,” he said.

When Mr. Duval spoke to the archives of the McGill University Health Center a few days after his son’s death.
The hospital refused to give him a copy of the medical file, stating in a letter that the file was confidential and that Mr. Fontaine-Duval’s consent was necessary for someone else Obtain a copy.  Only “heirs, legatees and legal representatives of a deceased user have the right to receive information contained in his file.

The MUHC even questions the relationship of Mr. Duval with his son Mr. Fontaine-Duval.
Mr. Duval turned to the Access to Information Commission to get his case. He was heard on Wednesday by Commissioner Diane Poitras. It should render its judgment within three months.
Source: La Presse