FOR
INFORMATION
OR REFERRAL

CMHA – Oxford

Statement of Information Practices
under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA)

Introduction

In accordance with the PHIPA, CMHA-Oxford wishes to inform its clients as to its information practices with respect to the collection, use, protection, access and disclosure of personal health information.    

Definitions

Personal health information includes oral and written information about an individual.  It may include information about a person’s physical or mental health, family health history, health care services received by the person, the identity of the person providing care to the individual, the person’s individual health number, or the identity of an individual’s substitute decision maker. 

Collection

CMHA-Oxford collects personal health information primarily from the client receiving service or other individuals authorized to act on behalf of the client, such as a substitute decision maker.  Individuals have the right to withdraw or change the terms of their consent, subject to the provisions of the PHIPA.  Where information is collected from other sources, prior consent will be sought from the individual, except where otherwise permitted or required by law.

We collect personal health information to provide health care and other related services to our clients. Such services may include determining the most appropriate services and service providers based on client needs, arranging referrals to other service providers or agencies, and other purposes permitted or required by law.

Use

We limit our use of the personal health information we collect to the purposes for which it was collected and for other uses permitted or required by law.

Storage and Protection

All personal health information collected is either recorded on paper or stored electronically.  CMHA-Oxford uses physical and technological safeguards to protect personal health information against unauthorized access, copying, modification, use, disclosure, disposal, theft or loss.

CMHA-Oxford also trains all employees and volunteers who in the course of their work may have contact with clients’ personal health information.  Employees and volunteers are trained to ensure that access to personal health information is limited to that which is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected.

Disclosure

CMHA-Oxford will not disclose personal health information without the client’s specific consent except where permitted or required by law.  For example, personal health information may be disclosed where the disclosure is necessary to eliminate or reduce a significant risk of serious bodily harm to a person or group of persons.

Access and Correction

Individuals who wish to access or correct their personal health information may contact Joe Penton.

Name:   Joe Penton

Position:  Executive Director

Address:  522 Peel Street, Woodstock Ontario N4S 1K3

Telephone Number:  519-539-8055 ext. 219

Fax:  519-539-8317

E-mail:  joepenton@cmhaoxford.on.ca

Complaint Procedure

Individuals who have questions or concerns with respect to the collection, use or disclosure of their personal health information or who wish to file a complaint regarding the information practices of CMHA-Oxford may contact:

Name:  Joe Penton

Position:  Executive Director

Address:  522 Peel Street, Woodstock Ontario N4S 1K3

Telephone Number:  519-539-8055 ext. 219

Fax:  519-539-8017

E-mail:  joepenton@cmhaoxford.on.ca

Individuals may also make a complaint directly to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.  The Commissioner may be reached at:

Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario
2 Bloor Street East
Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 1A8

Tel. (416) 326-3333 or 1-800-387-0073
TDD/TTY (416) 325-7539

Fax (416) 325-9195

info@ipc.on.ca

For further information regarding CMHA Oxford’s privacy practices, please speak to our Executive Director, Joe Penton, who may be reached at 519-539-8055 ext.  219.

Our Offices:

24 Hour CRISIS RESPONSE LINE 519-539-8342 1-877-339-8342 To Use This Service You must be: - Experiencing a crisis - Willing to provide identifying information (name, address, or phone number)

*vision, mission and principles and values adopted by the Oxford Branch Board of Directors October 30, 2001