How to view my medical records online in Ontario: A patient’s guide

Access to online health records has advanced in recent years, and Ontario provincial legislation gives patients the right to access their own health information from their care team. Because of these factors, many Ontarians expect their health history to be available digitally, yet it can be unclear how to find it.

A 2023 study discovered that 4 out of 5 Canadians felt more empowered to manage their own health after accessing their electronic medical records. However, an international survey, also conducted in 2023, indicated that only 35% of Canadians reported accessing their online records within the last 2 years, compared to the average of 45% reported by other participating countries.

This article offers a step-by-step guide to viewing health information online in Ontario. It covers provincial portals, healthcare systems and tools like PocketHealth, which lets individuals securely access, store and share imaging reports in one place and import other health records into the platform.

Why it’s important to have all your personal health information together

Having your personal health history in one place offers many benefits, such as:

Coordinating care across providers

If you have more than one provider, having an easy way to share your personal health information with your care team is extremely helpful. It also keeps everyone up to date on your medical history and current health situation. Coordinating care across providers can mean:

• Fewer errors: With multiple providers reviewing your records, more eyes are on your chart, which can help prevent mistakes and ensure important information isn’t missed.
• Fewer appointments: When a new healthcare provider can quickly review your history, they can get up to speed more quickly, reducing the need for repetitive visits or tests.
• You can share your health data: If a provider needs information from another facility, you can share it yourself without making a written request or contacting another clinic.

Managing family health

When patient records are all in one place, it’s easier for family caregivers or substitute decision makers to stay informed. This includes parents of children with elevated health needs or adult children supporting elderly parents who require medical care.

Privacy laws require caregivers to obtain the patient’s consent before accessing their personal health information. This means completing a request form, obtaining the patient’s signature and disclosure permissions and sometimes paying a small fee, if applicable.

If a patient has multiple providers with separate charts, this process may need to be repeated for each one. When records are consolidated, however, the caretaker only needs to do it once, saving time and money. It also makes it easier to share this data with other members of the health team, to speak on the patient’s behalf and to track their needs more effectively.

Moving or travelling

Having all your important medical records available online in one place is very helpful when you’re moving or travelling. Sharing this data with new providers becomes simple and immediate, instead of stressful and delayed. You don’t have to wait for your previous provider to send records. Everything is right at your fingertips.

Tracking changes in your health

Another key benefit of online personal health information is the ability to easily track changes to your health. This is important for patients managing chronic conditions or monitoring recurring results. Examples include yearly mammograms, prenatal ultrasounds and repeat blood tests that may change over time. Easily viewing past and current records helps you stay informed and involved in your own care.

Can you access your own medical records in Ontario?

While all Canadians, regardless of province or territory, have a legal right to access their own personal health information, this article focuses on Ontarians and the legal framework that protects their right to view their health data.

While other provinces have their own laws governing access to health information, Ontario follows the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). It sets out how health information custodians must safeguard sensitive patient information and details patients’ rights to access it.

Though patients have rights to their records, this doesn’t mean all records are automatically in one place for them to access. Online access can vary depending on the facility and the portals they use. Health data may also be fragmented, meaning patients can see information from one provider but not their entire health history in a single portal.

Online systems are improving, but practices differ between care teams. You may need to complete a request form and pay a small fee to obtain records. If you see multiple providers, this process may need to be repeated for each one.

How to view your medical records online in Ontario

Here is an overview of how to view your medical records online if you live in Ontario.

Through provincial or regional portals

While Ontario does have a single, unified electronic health record system for the entire province, it is only accessible to authorized healthcare providers—not patients. While there are some regional portals that patients can access, they only serve specific areas and contain records from providers who also use the same portal.

Through hospital or provider systems

Hospital or provider-based record systems can be a convenient way for patients to obtain their information from the facility’s website. The level of detail and availability, however, depends on the system and how many providers use it.

The larger the network of providers using the same health record system, the more likely patients are to have access to a broader view of their medical records and history. Smaller, independent clinics and health centers often use siloed systems, which can limit what information patients can see in one place.

PocketHealth

Secure online health record platforms, such as PocketHealth, allow patients to access their medical imaging records and reports and to upload and import other health records to their account. These records can then be easily viewed and shared at the patient’s convenience.

What’s in a patient’s medical record?

What appears in your medical records depends on the system used to create and maintain them and the range of providers you see. Some types of data may be limited. For example, a radiologist’s report for an MRI might be viewable, but the image itself may require an official request.

If you think something is missing or you want to view something not shown, discuss your concerns with the information custodian, which is the official term used for medical providers responsible for keeping your health information private and secure. They may be able to help you search for the missing data.

Overall, most online records include similar types of patient data. The following information gives some examples:

• Allergies
• Medical history and treatment information
• Immunization records and documentation
• Test and lab results
• Current and past prescriptions and medication lists
• Patient demographics
• Radiology imaging and reports
• Medical reports
• Prenatal and birth records
• Clinical notes and discharge summaries from appointments
• Orders and requisitions for referrals, lab and imaging tests, etc.

What’s the difference between an EMR and EHR?

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are digital versions of a patient’s health data created and maintained by a single clinic or facility. These records are accessible only to the entity that created them, and other providers cannot view them unless they are specifically shared. This usually requires a patient to request it or the EMR creator to initiate the process, such as when referring a patient to a specialist.

Electronic health records (EHRs), on the other hand, are designed to be accessible by multiple health professionals across different facilities. They bring all your health information together in one place, making it easier to share.

What to expect when accessing your records online

When viewing your records online, the layout and formatting of the site will vary depending on the EMR or EHR system and whether they have a patient portal. Examples of information include test results, radiology reports and appointment notes. You may even see your personal demographics, such as your contact information or health card number.

Some records may not be immediately available, as providers must upload them first. Delays are common, especially for lab results or other data that must be processed. In some systems, results must be reviewed by a physician before they can be accessed, though in others, patients may access these results before seeing their doctor, depending on the portal.

Patients usually need secure logins, verifications and permissions to view records online, which are typically provided by the physician’s office. Often this is set up automatically, but some clinics may require patients to request access first before they can sign in on their device.

An easier way to get your medical records

While online access to records is becoming more widespread, patients still face many challenges. These include requesting multiple permissions, paying possible fees and dealing with fragmented or incomplete records.

Tools like PocketHealth can help. PocketHealth is a secure, patient-friendly platform that makes managing and accessing medical imaging records and uploading other health records easy. Patients can also import other medical histories into their account, giving them complete and portable health records in one place that can be shared with any provider at their convenience.

Besides giving patients control of their own records, PocketHealth offers intuitive features and AI tools to help them understand complex medical terminology in their reports, detect follow-up recommendations and next steps and even identify key organs and bones in their imaging scans.

These features help patients become more involved in their health, empowering them to take charge of their healthcare journey and control how and when they share their records with their care team.

View my medical records online in Ontario: FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about online health records in Ontario.

Can you access your own medical records in Ontario?

Often, yes. You may already have online access through your physician’s patient portal, in which case you can request details on how to access your account. If your provider does not offer this feature, you can make a formal request for your records.

How do I get a copy of my medical records in Ontario?

Legally, patients have the right to obtain a copy of their medical information, except in rare cases. There may be small variations in the process, but usually the steps to request a copy are similar:

• Initiate a request from your provider’s office: This could be submitted to the front desk, medical records department or another health information custodian. They should provide an official request form to complete before they release this data. This may be via paper copy or an electronic form.
• Specify what records you want: The request will often ask which records you want. If you want your entire chart, it may take longer to receive a copy compared with a simpler item, such as a recent blood test result.
• Provide proof of identity or authorization: You’ll likely need government-issued photo identification to verify your identity. If you are requesting records on behalf of someone else, such as a family member, you may also need to provide the patient’s official consent.
• Possibly pay a fee: Depending on how much health data you want and the policies of your provider’s office, it is common to pay a small fee.
• Wait for your response: In most cases, Ontario medical facilities have 30 to 60 days to respond to your request after receiving your completed forms and payments. Records may be provided in paper, CD, USB or secure electronic formats, depending on the facility. You may be able to request your preferred format in advance, such as having it sent by mail or via secure email.

Can walk-in clinics in Ontario see my medical history?

Most walk-in clinics use their own separate, privately maintained electronic medical record (EMR) system, which means they typically do not have access to your full medical history from other providers. Sometimes, however, these clinics are part of a larger health system, which can give them wider access to your electronic health record.

How can I get my medical records online for free in Ontario?

Many clinics and hospitals provide access to patient portals at no extra charge. However, there may be exceptions depending on the facility’s policies and whether they routinely include this access as part of care. Otherwise, you may need to make an official request for your records and pay a small fee.

If you’re looking for free access to download your medical images and reports, check out PocketHealth’s basic plan.

Published: November 27, 2025