The Health Department will collect confidential information about you directly from you or from the person acting on your behalf. The confidential information that is collected may include your name, birth date, address, health history, records of visits and other visits with the Health Department, and the programs and services that you received during those visits.
As a client of Durham Region Health Department it's important to know that you have many rights and responsibilities that ensure the safety of you and those around you.
Health Department Confidential Information Practices Statement |
Privacy and Information SecurityThe Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) outlines the rules for the collection, use and disclosure of confidential information 1. Collection of confidential informationThe Health Department will collect confidential information about you directly from you or from the person acting on your behalf. The confidential information that is collected may include your name, birth date, address, health history, records of visits and other visits with the Health Department, and the programs and services that you received during those visits. All information collected by us is documented on paper and/or electronically, and kept confidential as outlined in our internal policies and procedures. Where we have received your consent or where the law allows, we may occasionally collect confidential information about you from other sources. Use of confidential informationThe Health Department uses your confidential information, with your consent, for the purpose of:
Release of confidential informationThe Health Department will not disclose your confidential information without your consent, unless permitted or required by law. We may share your information without your consent, in accordance with PHIPA:
Your rightsYou may request access to, and correction of, your confidential information outlined in your Health Department records. You may deny or remove your consent, with some exceptions, for the collection, use and disclosure of your confidential information. You may file a complaint or concern about our confidential information practices. What the Health Department does to protect confidential informationPhysical, administrative and technical processes are taken to protect your confidential information from theft, loss, and unauthorized access, copying, modification, use, disclosure and disposal. Routine audits are conducted to monitor and manage compliance with our privacy and security policies and procedures. The Health Department ensures that all persons who perform services for us protect your privacy and only use or disclose your confidential information for the purpose you have consented to or that are permitted or required by law. All employees and persons who work for or with the Health Department must complete our privacy education and training program, and must sign a confidentiality agreement. How to contact usThe Commissioner & Medical Officer of Health is the Health Information Custodian for Durham Region Health Department. The contact for the Health Department is the Manager, Health Information, Privacy & Security. For more information about our confidential information protection practices, or to raise a concern you have with these practices, please contact the Manager, Health Information, Privacy & Security at: Sharan Dosanjh You also have the right to file a complaint with the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario if you think we have violated your privacy rights at:Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario 1 The term "confidential information" refers to the personal and personal health information of Health Department clients, and sensitive information of non-person clients. |
Client safety and customer service |
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As a client of Durham Region Health Department it's important to know that you have many rights and responsibilities that ensure the safety of you and those around you. You have the right to:
Your responsibilities include:
Please do not email questions about your personal or private health concerns. Please call 1-800-841-2729 and your call will be sent to the appropriate person in the Health Department. We reply to emails within five business days. Health Department HELP LINESDurham Health Connection LineMonday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., 905-666-6241 or 1-800-841-2729 Environmental Help LineMonday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., 905-723-3818 or 1-888-777-9613 Both lines will respond to incoming calls within two business days, except in extenuating circumstances where there would be an unusually high call volume such as during an outbreak, or during immunization suspension time. |
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