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 »
New decision of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario for health privacy. And it is a doozy! As background, it is important to know that our health privacy law, the Personal Health Information Protection Act, allows hospitals and other health information custodians to use identifiable health information without needing the consent of patients for… Read more »
If you ever needed a reason to behave, this is as good a one as any. In a new Ontario court decision, a nurse was denied coverage from her former hospital employer’s insurance provider for her legal fees and possible costs associated with her alleged snooping in health records. So now, she walks into court… Read more »
Calling all clinicians, Privacy Officers, IT change management consultants and practice managers. Here’s a new case for you to read and absorb. Bierman v. Haidash 2021 from Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench So, imagine you work in a health care environment and you’ve got to learn a new IT system. Bummer right? You’ve got to… Read more »
This is a summary of the new Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario‘s Decision 109, which deals with snooping. Six months after an employee left her employment at a family health clinic, a patient of the clinic complained she suspected the employee had looked at her patient’s record. That prompted the clinic to do an… Read more »
Just when you thought it was safe … a new class action was recently certified after a health privacy breach at a hospital in Ontario. Here’s what every health Privacy Officer needs to know. Stewart v. Demme and William Osler Health System (2020) “The central question … is whether a privacy violation can be “highly… Read more »
In 2016 we saw changes to health privacy legislation in Ontario. There were significant developments in health privacy litigation and additional certifications of class actions for health privacy breaches. There were at least two physicians in Ontario who had their licenses to practice suspended for snooping in health records and at least two nurses faced… 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 2023
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 2023
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 February program will address an update on the laws that apply to Primary Care Teams and in March we discuss human rights tips. Full details of the 2023 webinar series and registration here.
Team Privacy Training Events
For Primary Care clinics, Hospitals, Community Agencies, Mental Health Teams, Public Health Units, School Boards, Police departments
Next sessions in the Fall - on Termination Tips, Departing Physicians, Toxic Employees and Privacy issues . More details...
Join the Proof: a collective of Credentialing Officers Annual membership 2023
For Credentialing Officers from hospitals such as Medical Affairs leaders, Chiefs of Staff and Credentialing Committee Chairs
This is an annual membership program that builds capacity within your hospital. Full details and registration here.
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.