IPC Decision 178 is a correction request submitted by a wife on behalf of her husband. The husband was a client of a LHIN and had undergone a home case assessment, following which, a determination was made that he was not eligible for increased hours of personal support services. The wife sought changes to the… Read more »
On March 24, 2022, the Ontario Divisional Court released its decision in Stewart v Demme (2022 ONSC 1790), a class action case against William Osler Health System and one of its ex-nurses (Demme). The case deals with the tort of intrusion upon seclusion, which is a claim that can be advanced by individuals affected by… Read more »
Data Privacy Week is an international effort that takes place annually to create awareness about the importance of safeguarding data and enabling trust in an effort to protect individuals’ privacy. This year, Data Privacy Week takes place from January 24 to 28, 2022. The National Cybersecurity Alliance is focusing on encouraging individuals to own their… Read more »
In Decision 160, the IPC reviewed a complaint from the father of two children (both under the age of eight) whose records request was partially denied by the hospital where the children received care. The records contained concerns about the father’s relationship with the children. The mother did not consent to the records being disclosed… Read more »
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario released new guidelines today for disposing of electronic media. These guidelines explain what it means to take “reasonable steps” to safeguard personal health information through secure destruction. The guidelines apply to all custodians under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004. That means you, health care providers and… Read more »
On Friday January 12, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario released four new decisions. Here is my updated summary of all 64 IPC PHIPA Decisions Decision 61: Reasonable Search: A physician received a request for access to all records relating to the complainant’s deceased son. The complainant believed additional records should exist. The physician said… Read more »
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario released new guidelines that will come into effect March 2019 but require healthcare organizations to start tracking certain kinds of privacy breaches as of January 2018. Click here for the Annual Reporting of Privacy Breach Statistics to the Commissioner guidelines. Starting January 1st, Ontario’s healthcare organizations (all those who… Read more »
Last week the IPC issued two new decisions for health care organizations in Ontario. The first one has practical impact on group practices like family health teams. Group practices should proactively clarify who is the health information custodian Decision 50 – This one will interest all family health teams and other group practices. It relates to… Read more »
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario just released two more decisions all health care providers in Ontario should read. Decision 48: A hospital received a request for access to records. The hospital provided the complainant with a full copy of his health records but the complainant believed there should be additional records (specifically letters from… Read more »
I train Privacy Officers to understand their role. So, what does a Privacy Officer do for a health care organization? In Ontario, every health care organization must have a “contact person” to do the following five tasks: Facilitate compliance with the health privacy law, PHIPA Ensure that everyone who works for the organization is informed… Read more »
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.
Health Privacy Officer Foundations training starts October 2024
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.
Primary care webinars: Employment Law Update & Legal Issues for EDs and Board members
Part of Kate’s monthly webinar series.
Our 2024 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 2024
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.
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.