At Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, we are committed to protecting your privacy. We follow Ontario's health privacy law (PHIPA) to keep your personal health information (information) safe and confidential. Everyone who works here - including doctors, nurses, other care providers and administrative support staff - must follow these rules.
Your Health Record
Your health record includes:
- Your name, birth date, and contact information.
- Your health history and family health history.
- Your mental and physical health details.
- Your test results and notes about your visits and treatment.
- Information from other care providers.
Your record is our property, but the information belongs to you. You can ask to see it or request a copy. Sometimes, we may not be able to share everything, but we will explain why. If you do not agree with something that is written, please let us know. In most cases we can fix it, but if we can't, you can write a note to be added to your record.
Keeping Your Information Safe
We must keep your information private and safe. Only people involved in your care, or who are allowed by law, can see your information. If your information is ever lost or seen by someone who shouldn't, we will tell you.
How We Use and Share Your Information
We collect and use your information to:
- Treat and care for you.
- Remind you about appointments or send surveys.
- Let you know about upcoming events, programs, or services.
- Coordinate with other care providers.
- Train staff and students.
- Plan and improve our programs and services.
- Meet legal requirements.
To make sure your care is well coordinated and that you get the services you need, we may share your health information with other care providers who are helping take care of you.
Sometimes, we use secure electronic health systems to share your information with other care providers, like labs or hospitals, to support your care. These systems also follow strict privacy rules.
Your Rights and Choices
You have a right to control how your information is used or shared, within the limits of the law. When you come for care, we assume you agree (consent) to let us use your information to help care for you. However, you can:
- Say no to certain uses or sharing of your information.
- Change your mind at any time.
- Ask us not to share part of your record (called a lockbox).
Some things don't need your permission. For example, we may use your information for:
- Planning and improving our programs and services.
- Keeping you or others safe.
- Reporting things we are required to by law (like child safety or certain illnesses).
Who Makes Decisions About Your Information
You can make decisions about your information if you are capable. If you're not, a substitute decision-maker will make decisions on your behalf. If you are under 16, your parent(s) or guardian(s) will also be able to make some decisions about your information.
Questions or Concerns
If you want more information or have questions, please speak with your care provider or you can contact our Privacy Officer at:
613-789-1500
privacy@sandyhillchc.on.ca
If you feel your privacy concern wasn't resolved, you can contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at:
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON M4W 1A8
1-800-387-0073
www.ipc.on.ca