Privacy Policy

The Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County ("Society") is a health information custodian under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (“PHIPA”, or the “Act”). The Society complies with PHIPA and protects personal health information as defined under the Act.

Our Practices

The Society collects personal health information directly from clients, or from their substitute decision makers. Occasionally, we collect information about clients from other sources if clients have given us permission to do so or if the law permits; for example, from other health care providers involved in a client’s care.

The Society collects personal health information to:

• Provide health support and services based on client needs
• Deliver programs and services
• Communicate with other healthcare professionals involved in client care
• Seek client consent (or consent of a substitute decision maker) where needed
• Plan, administer and manage internal operations
• Perform risk management, error management and quality improvement activities
• Gather statistics
• Complete research
• Carry out client surveys
• Follow legal and regulatory requirements
• Fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law

Our collection, use and disclosure (sharing) of personal health information is done in accordance with the Act.

Your Choices

Clients have a right to make choices and control how their health information is collected, used and disclosed, with some exceptions.

For most health care purposes, consent to use personal health information is implied as a result of consent to using Society programs and services, unless a client tells us otherwise. From time to time, the Society may communicate about a client’s care with other health care providers involved in their care, including collecting, using and sharing their personal health information through electronic medical information systems (sometimes called electronic health records, eHealth records, electronic medical records, etc.), unless the client tells us they do not want us to do so.

In some cases, the Society must have a client’s permission to give their health information to people who do not provide them with health care. We may also need consent to communicate with any family members or friends with whom the client would like us to share information about their health (unless one or more of these individuals is their substitute decision maker).

When we require and ask for a client’s consent, they may choose to say no. If they say yes, they may change their mind at any time. Once a client says no, the Society will no longer share their information unless they give permission, unless the law permits or requires us to do so.

Limits of Confidentiality

There are times when we are required to share a client’s personal health information without their consent. For example, for billing (when applicable), risk management or error management, and quality improvement purposes, or if the client is at risk of harm to themselves or others. Health care providers are also required by law to respond to a subpoena and/or search warrant.

Your Rights

With limited exceptions, a client has a right to access the health information the Society holds about them.  A client has a right to ask for a correction to their record if they believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete.

Your Health Record

A client’s health record includes important information about their health including their date of birth, health card number, contact information, health history, details of their physical and mental health, record of their visits, the care and support they received during those visits, and information from other health care providers.

For More Information or Complaints

If you would like a copy of our Privacy Policy, please contact the Society.

If a client would like to access their record, request a correction or know more about our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Ann-Marie Kungl, Chief Executive Officer
20 Anne Street South, Unit 3
Barrie, Ontario L4N 2C6
Tel: 705-722-1066
Fax: 705-722-9392
Email: simcoecounty@alzheimersociety.ca

If after contacting us, you feel that your concerns have not been answered to your satisfaction, you have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at:

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8
Tel: 1-800-387-0073
Fax: 416-325-9195
www.ipc.on.ca