Your Privacy
Protecting the Privacy of Your Information
Our Commitment to Privacy
To provide the best possible care, we need to collect and use personal health information. Somerset West Community Health Centre is committed to keeping your information safe and confidential. We follow the rules set out in law about collecting, using and disclosing your personal information.
To ensure the protection of your personal information, we have:
- Privacy Policies in place
- Appointed a Privacy Officer to answer your concerns or inquiries
- Set up safeguards in the handling of paper, electronic and verbal personal information.
How We Work
The Centre’s service providers work in teams to provide you with comprehensive care and service. Information for your best care may be shared among those directly involved with your care.
Limits to Confidentiality
Somerset West CHC may report information to third parties, without consent:
- If we believe your are a danger to yourself or others
- If we suspect that a child under the age of 16 is at risk
- If our records are subpoenaed by the courts
- If you are considered by law to be unable to make informed decisions about yourself
- In cases of a reportable communicable disease that must be reported to a Public Health Agency
- To determine or verify your eligibility to receive health care benefits
- In cases of required reporting to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Accessing Your Information
The Information in your records belongs to you; the physical record itself belongs to the Centre. You are welcome to read or have a copy of your personal health records. You may also request correction of your record. If you wish to access your record, fill out a ‘Request to Access Personal Health Information’ form and return it to your service provider. An appointment will be set up for you with your service provider to review the records.
Questions or Concerns
If at any time you have questions or concerns about the treatment of your personal health information or the protection of your privacy within Somerset West CHC, please do not hesitate to raise your concerns with your service provider, or Somerset West CHC’s Privacy Officer.
You may also contact the Information/Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at 1-800-387-0073 or e-mail infor@ipc.on.ca; web: www.ipc.on.ca.
August 20, 2007
Updated April 7, 2010
Client Rights
Somerset West Community Health Centre is committed to providing an environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We believe strongly in a team approach to providing service. The Board and staff of SWCHC believe that you, as a client, have the following rights and will support you in achieving them.
You have the right to:
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understand the type of care advised and what receiving that care will mean for you
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expect that all care will be provided in a professional manner
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make a complaint if you are not satisfied with your care
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the right to have your privacy respected
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know that information about you will be shared only to provide quality care, ensure safety or fulfill our legal responsibility
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discuss your file with a service provider recognizing that client records are the property of the Centre
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know about all available services
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refuse treatment and to be informed of what may happen if you do
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know when a student will be involved in your care, and the right to refuse such student involvement
The Board of Directors
January 2003
Reviewed October 2008
Accessibility Standards for Client Service
The Board and staff of Somerset West Community Health Centre are committed to upholding the beliefs articulated in our mission statement; to maintain an environment that embraces diversity and is free from discrimination. The Centre will strive to ensure that communications are inclusive of all genders and are culturally sensitive. SWCHC is committed to ensuring wherever possible, that programs are accessible to people with physical and mental disabilities. Wherever possible we have implemented measures to identify and remove barriers with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures, premises and property.
If you would like to see a copy of our policy on "Accessibility Standards for Client Services" please email us at info@swchc.on.ca
The Board of Directors
February 2010
