I’m Kate Dewhirst.

My team and I write about legal issues affecting healthcare in Canada.

Kate Dewhirst Health Law - bringing the law to life. Meet Kate (in 13 seconds)

Oops! I didn’t post anything for 2 months

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2 months!

You may be wondering where I went. Actually, you probably weren’t wondering anything because like me you have probably been trying to figure out how to navigate the waters of your new life!

I’ve been thinking. Reflecting. Worrying (a little). Creating. Rejuvenating.

Today is the 4th anniversary of our health law firm. A good day to reboot this blog and get back into my communication channels!

It’s been a fantastic but hard year.  Lots of opportunities for innovation.  Some burnout, to be honest.

The early days of the pandemic shutdown were relentless.  So much change for all my health care clients.  Lots of decisions to be made about life and death and rationing of health equipment and services.  As an advisor to health care organizations, I was privy to some deep, difficult and rock the foundations of the world conversations.  I didn’t realize what a toll the exposure to such emotionally complicated content took on me until a few weeks had gone by.  I am honoured to have been involved and it has taken some time to recover.

These last few months have also been extremely interesting. With all the changes thrust upon us – there is infinite opportunity to learn and serve.  Our team has been listening and answering questions. From all that engagement, we’ve created new online course content for:

  • Health care organizations now providing virtual care services
  • Solo practice and small physician offices who want practical information about privacy compliance
  • Social media tips and tricks for health care organizations

We moved our offices so we are all now permanently working from home.   My team were always remote – but I had an office. There have been ups and downs with moving to the home office as many of you know well.  Working from home comes with surprise visits from kids and loud noises on the street delivered exactly coincidental with the punchline of a joke during my online training. I miss our in person team meetings.  But, I’m drinking a lot more water and the snacks are healthier here!

I’m back!  Stay tuned for updates about what’s been happening in the world of health law and privacy and other observations of legal practice …


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Some of Kate’s recent and upcoming events

Free healthcare privacy webinar - ask me anything!
the first Wednesday of every month

Free webinars - advance registration needed

Whether you're an experienced privacy officer or new in the field, pick Kate’s brain for free for an hour, in this live webinar. No charge, but you’ll need to register in advance.

Primary care webinars: Employment Law Update & Legal Issues for EDs and Board members

Part of Kate’s monthly webinar series.

Our 2025 program is now live.
Full details of the 2024 webinar series and registration here.

Mental Health webinars: Legal issues for mental health and addictions agencies and teams
Annual membership 2025

For managers and other leaders from mental health and addictions agencies, hospitals, CMHAs, CHCs, school boards, FHTs and Indigenous health services

This is an annual membership program with monthly webinars.
Full details and registration here.

Health Privacy Officer Foundations training
starts Spring 2025

For Privacy Officers within healthcare organizations.

This course focuses on how to become a more confident privacy officer and gives you the tools to document your privacy program. Full details and registration here...

Join the Shush: a collective of health privacy officers
Annual membership 2024

For Privacy Officers within healthcare organizations

This is an annual membership program that takes theory into practice and tackles real life scenarios to build Privacy Officer skills.
Full details and registration here.

Team Privacy Training Events

For Primary Care clinics, Hospitals, Community Agencies, Mental Health Teams, Public Health Units, School Boards, Police departments

Scheduled to your team's needs for comprehensive or refresher training More details...

Free summary of all PHIPA IPC decisions

Want to read privacy breach stories to learn how to improve your work? We have summarized all the Information and Privacy Commissioner's health privacy decisions for you Download here...

Kate Dewhirst Health Law

Kate says:

My mission is bringing the law to life. I make legal theory understandable, accessible and fun! I’m available and love to work for all organizations in the healthcare sector across Ontario and beyond.

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    Bradford, ON, L3Z 2Y5

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