As part of the Vaughan Community Health Centre’s mission, we are committed to promoting client privacy and protecting the confidentiality of the health information we hold. VCHC is a health information custodian under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). We are accountable for compliance with PHIPA and the protection of health records.
The VCHC has put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and prevent unauthorized access to personal information and ensure that the information we collect is used only for the purposes requested. When you visit the VCHC website, you do so anonymously. The VCHC does not use third-party to collect or receive user information.
Collection of Personal Health Information
VCHC collects personal health information for purposes related to:
- direct client care
- administration and management of our programs and services,
- client billing
- administration and management of the health care system,
- research
- teaching
- accreditation review
- statistical reporting
- fundraising
- meeting legal obligations and as otherwise permitted or required by law
Obtaining Access of Your Personal Health Information
- Client requests for their own information should be made in writing by completing the Client Request for Access to Health Records” form (link this form) and submitted to Reception.
- In some instances, and at the discretion of the primary health care provider, personal health information may be released to the client, without a formal written request. Please speak with your health care provider or refer to the Release of Information and Access to Health Records policy for more information. (PDF)
Requesting Corrections to Records of Personal Health Information
VCHC has an obligation to correct personal health information if it is inaccurate or incomplete for the purposes it is to be used or disclosed.
Clients may request that their health information be corrected if it is inaccurate or incomplete. Such requests must be made in writing using the Correction of Health Records Request Form (and for Connecting Ontario the Request for Correction Form–Appendix C-1) and must explain what information is to be corrected and why. The fact of the request must be recorded in the “Request for Correction Log” (Appendix C-6)
What We Ask of You
- Let us know when your personal information has changed, so that we may keep it as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as possible.
- Let us know when you have any questions or do not understand why your information is being collected or how it is being used.
- If you have any questions or complaints regarding privacy and your personal information, contact our Executive Director (Privacy Officer) by phone at: 905-303-8490 or by email at: privacy@vaughanchc.com
- If we are not able to satisfactorily re-solve your complaint, we will explain how you may make your complaint to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
How to Make a Complaint or Contact the Privacy Officer
Mail:
Vaughan Community Health Centre
9401 Jane Street, Suite 206
Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 4H7
Phone: 905-303-8490
Admin Fax: 905-303-9444
www.vaughanchc.com
- VCHC will receive and respond to complaints or inquiries about our policies and practices relating to the handling of personal health information. We will inform clients who make inquiries or lodge complaints of other available complaint procedures.
- VCHC will investigate all complaints. If a complaint is found to be justified, VCHC will take appropriate measures to respond.
- The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario oversees our compliance with privacy rules and PHIPA. Any individual can make an inquiry or complaint directly to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario by writing to or calling:
Privacy Officer
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A8
Phone: 1 (800) 387-0073
Fax: 1-416-325-9195
www.ipc.on.ca
References:
Release of Information and Access to Health Records (PDF)
To maintain client, visitor and staff privacy, the use of recording devices is not permitted without consent
