Updated: August 1, 2025
At Sandy Hill Community Health Centre (SHCHC), your privacy and safety are very important to us. To protect our clients, staff, and visitors, and to comply with Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), we have clear guidelines for the use of video and audio recording on our premises.
Security Cameras (Video Capture)
For everyone’s safety, SHCHC uses security cameras on and around our premises. The cameras:
- Operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Record video only (no audio) unless clearly posted otherwise.
- Are used to help prevent and respond to violence, unsafe behaviours, and loitering on Centre property.
This system helps us provide a safer environment for clients, staff, and visitors. Signage is posted anywhere video is being captured informing the reader that the area is under video surveillance and includes the contact information of SHCHC's Privacy Officer and the legislative authority.
Recording by Clients and Visitors
SHCHC recognizes the dignity and self-worth of every person and their right to a safe, secure and trusting care environment. SHCHC believes that recording patient visits/encounters can be beneficial. However, recording must respect the right of all parties to consent, and the obligations of SHCHC and its employees under the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Clients are asked to respect the guidelines outlined below.
1. While waiting for an appointment (in Centre lobby areas, or outside the building on Centre property)
To respect the privacy of other clients, visitors and employees, clients and visitors are strictly prohibited from recording (audio and/or video) at any time while in these areas. This includes recording any interactions with reception employees.
Employees of SHCHC who become aware of any individual attempting to photograph or record other individuals in these areas may request that the individual refrain from doing so, and if the individual refuses, they may be asked to leave the premises.
2. During a private appointment/encounter (in-person and/or virtual care)
Prior to requesting permission to record a visit, clients must be aware of the following:
- The service provider is under no obligation to allow the recording of the visit and may restrict the recording to a portion of the visit or refuse to permit recording at all.
- The service provider may request that a recording be audio only (no video).
- The service provider may request that the recording be deleted prior to leaving SHCHC.
- The service provider may request the reason for the recording, and the purposes for which the client intends to use the recording.
- The service provider will document that the recording was made in the client’s medical chart whenever a recording occurs.
- It is the responsibility of the client(s) to ensure that the audio/video file is kept secure, private and confidential.
If a client would like to record their visit with a service provider, the client must ask for consent from the provider prior to starting any type of recording. Clients may record their visit once the provider is aware and has consented to the recording. The provider is entitled to withdraw consent to recording at any time, and the client must immediately stop recording if the provider requests them to stop. The recording may only be used as a way for clients to remember what was discussed. If clients would like to record their visit, any equipment used to record the visit must be their own. SHCHC will not provide equipment, software, or support to assist in the recording of visits.
3. During a group appointment/encounter (in-person and/or virtual care)
Unless agreed upon by all participants and service providers, recording (audio and/or video) is strictly prohibited at any time during these types of appointments/encounters.
A client may be refused access to the premises and/or to any service if they are found to be in violation of any of the above guidelines.