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 »
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 »
People will forget what you said but not how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou I read and hear all the time in the context of healthcare that particular action is required so that “patients and the public do not lose trust in the healthcare system”. Is being trustworthy something you should worry about? Yes…. Read more »
In this series, I want to share the journey and stories of health Privacy Officers. I am surrounded by amazing leaders in the health community and I am inspired to share their stories! We are the trust builders. Privacy Officers assist their organizations to earn the trust of their clients, patients, residents and consumers and… Read more »
Why is privacy important? Because it is essential for building trust. Trust pops up time and time again in privacy breach stories. In the 2017 sentencing hearing for a social worker in an Ontario family health team who was successfully prosecuted for looking at the health records of five clients without authorization (she had accessed… Read more »
Trust. Trust is the foundation of healthcare. Without trust, patients delay receiving care. Without trust, patients do not share the truth that helps clinicians uncover what is actually happening. Where trust is compromised, patients, their families and caregivers feel vulnerable and unsafe. They go elsewhere or nowhere to seek help. I’ve been studying “trust” in… 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.
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.