Your Personal Health Information and Privacy

At CMHA Lambton Kent, we take your privacy seriously. We follow a law called PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act) to protect your personal health information. Your worker will review this information with you and ask you for consent to collect your personal health information.

Your Consent to Collect Personal Health Information

We collect your personal health information to understand your needs so that we can provide you with the best care possible in partnership with other health care providers involved in your care. Your personal health information includes things like your:

• name, age and contact information
• gender, gender identity, culture, ethnicity
• mental and physical health and your health history
• personal history or family health information
• information about your care and treatment
• substitute decision-maker

Your Consent to Share Information

Your ‘circle of care’ is the group of people directly involved in your care. This group includes health care providers like doctors, nurses, therapist, case managers, support workers and administrative staff who help coordinate care.

Unless you tell us not to, members of your circle of care may share information with each other to help provide you with good care. Your circle of care will only share what is needed for your care and always with respect for your privacy.

Your family, friends and other people who do not work in health-related positions are not included in your circle of care. Your personal information will not be shared with any of these people without your express consent (verbal or written) or by consent of another person who is legally appointed to act in your best interests.

When We May Share Information Without Your Consent

There may be situations where we are required to share information without your consent. We will always do this carefully, respectfully, and only when necessary.

• If there is risk of harm to you or someone else
• In a medical emergency
• If there are concerns about child abuse and safety as outlined in the Family Services Act, sec. 72(1)
• If required by law (ex: a court order)

Protecting Your Privacy

At CMHA Lambton Kent, we take your privacy seriously. As a health care provider, we have a responsibility to protect the personal information we collect about you.

You also have rights. You have a say in how your information is collected, stored, and shared. We are committed to being open, respectful, and clear about how we handle your information.

Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Know why and how your information is collected, used and shared
• Give or refuse to share your information (in most cases)
• Withdraw your permission at any time
• See your own records
• Ask for corrections if something is wrong
• Make a complaint if you are concerned about your privacy.

Our Responsibilities

We must:

• Get your consent when required
• Keep your information safe
• Keep your records accurate
• Train staff on privacy
• Let you know if your information is ever breached
• Provide a privacy officer to answer your questions

How We Protect Your Information

We take steps to keep your information safe and regularly review and improve these protections.

• Secure computer systems and software
• Passwords, encryption, and firewalls
• Locked filing systems
• Staff training on privacy and confidentiality
• Confidentiality agreements

You Can Contact Our Chief Privacy Officer

If you have questions or concerns about your privacy, please contact us at:

CMHA Lambton Kent
240 Grand Ave West, Suite 100
Chatham, ON N7L 1C1
519-436-6100