The province of Ontario adopted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in 2005. The purpose of the AODA is to develop, implement and enforce standards to make Ontario fully accessible to all by 2025.

The CSCHN has consequently created a multi-year Accessibility Plan in order to comply with the requirements for 2012–2016.
This document covers the activities and deliverables stipulated in the accessibility standards and regulations governing information and communications as well as the design and use of public spaces. It also describes the action plan to be implemented to ensure that the CSCHN is fully compliant. The Accessibility Plan is available in alternative formats or may be accessed via communication aids to anyone who requests it.

The CSCHN is firmly committed to delivering excellent service to all its clients, including those with disabilities.

The CSCHN pledges to treat all persons in a manner that preserves their dignity and independence. We believe in the principles of integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely fashion by preventing and eliminating obstacles to accessibility in accordance with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005.

Please contact us to consult our Accessibility Plan.

Practices Concerning the Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Health Information

In accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act of 2004, the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCHN) has established rules governing the collection, use, protection and disclosure of its clients’ personal health information. These rules have been put in place to protect the confidentiality of this information while allowing the CSCHN to provide health care services.

Collection and Use of Personal Health Information

The CSCHN collects personal information from:

• You
• Someone acting on your behalf (e.g. if you are a minor)
• Other health care providers (e.g. specialists’ results)

The CSCHN collects personal information to:

• Determine or verify whether you are eligible for health care services
• Assess your service needs or establish a treatment plan
• Plan, administer or evaluate publicly funded programs, including those of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Health Canada and Hamilton or Niagara Public Health Services.

The CSCHN will not collect more personal health information than necessary. Although you have the right to refuse to give us certain personal information, this may hinder our ability to serve you and provide you with the best possible care.

The CSCHN also collects your home address, email address and phone number. The CSCHN may use this information to contact you about its services and activities. Your contact details are considered personal information and are subject to the same practices explained above.

Protection of Personal Health Information

The CSCHN takes a variety of measures to protect the confidentiality and security of the personal information it collects.

These measures include, but are not limited to:

• A policy regarding the confidentiality of clients’ information. This policy includes a confidentiality agreement that all CSCHN employees must sign.
• Limited access to the electronic systems where your personal information is stored; only certain employees are allowed to access this information, which is password-protected.
• Storage of clients’ personal records under lock and key outside operating hours.
• Shredding of documents containing personal information when they are no longer needed.

The CSCHN makes sure that all staff members are aware of these measures and apply them.

Sharing of Personal Health Information

Medical personnel communicate your personal health information to other health care providers when this is necessary for care or treatment. In such cases, your consent is considered implicit; that is, your consent is not necessary for a doctor to share your health information with a specialist when referring you for care or treatment. In contrast, your personal health information cannot be communicated without your express consent to people or organizations that do not provide health care (e.g. your employer).

As the CSCHN is a multidisciplinary centre, some personal information may be shared between team members as needed and in accordance with CSCHN policy. The CSCHN is required to share certain personal information with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Health Canada and Public Health Services. Personal health information may also be required by law in some specific situations (e.g. to comply with a court order).

However, under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, you are entitled to clearly instruct your health care provider not to disclose certain health information to other practitioners. Beyond its legal obligations, such as those concerning public health, the CSCHN will be prevented from communicating this information.

Accessing Your Record in Relation to Personal Information

You are entitled to access your personal health information and request any corrections if you believe your record contains errors or is incomplete. In accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, the CSCHN must rectify any inaccurate or incomplete information upon the client’s written request. However, the CSCHN cannot alter a professional opinion or any record originally created by another health services provider.

To access your record or request the correction of certain information, please contact: France Vaillancourt, Executive Director

810 East Main Street, Welland, ON  L3B 3Y4
Tel. (Welland): 905-734-1141 ext. 2253
Tel. (toll-free): 1-866-885-5947

Written requests will be processed within 30 days.

Complaints or Feedback

If you wish to make a complaint or provide feedback about the CSCHN’s practices with respect to the collection, use or disclosure of your personal health information or access to your records, please contact France Vaillancourt at the above number.

In certain cases specified by the Personal Health Information Protection Act, you may file a complaint about personal health information practices directly with the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario at 1-800-387-0073.

Further Information

Feel free to ask your CSCHN health practitioner to explain more about our personal information practices. You can also get a free copy of the CSCHN’s policies and procedures regarding the confidentiality of personal information. Just ask at reception.

Find out more about the Personal Health Information Protection Act by calling the INFOline at 1-800-461-2036 or visiting http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/.