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St. Joseph's General Hospital Elliot Lake

Privacy Policy

How do I obtain copies of my health records?

SJGHEL respects your right to access your personal health information within its’ custody and control. Personal health information is any verbal, written, or electronic information about you, your health or health care history. This includes your name, date of birth, address, phone number and OHIP number. It also includes tests, treatment and care information or personal and family information that you or your family/substitute decision-maker has told your doctor or other people involved in your care.

You can ask to look at your record(s) or request copies of your personal health information. To cover the cost of time and supplies, an administrative fee may apply. You can make a request by completing the Request for Access to Personal Health Information form and mailing it with an original signature to:

St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake
Attention: Medical Records Department
70 Spine Rd.
Elliot Lake, ON P5A 1X2
Phone:  705-848-7182 Ext. 2298
Fax: 705-848-1758

How do I request a correction to my health records?

You can ask to have your personal health information corrected as appropriate. For example, we can correct your date of birth, but we cannot correct an opinion, or an observation made by a health care professional in good faith about a patient.

How does SJGHEL use my information?

SJGHEL may use your information to:

  • Treat and care for you
  • Receive payment for your visit from OHIP, WSIB, your private insurer or others
  • Conduct risk management activities
  • Plan, administer and manage our internal operations
  • Conduct quality improvement activities
  • Compile statistics and patient satisfaction surveys
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Conduct research/teaching
  • Fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law

Who does SJGHEL share my information with?

SJGHEL may disclose your information to:

Facilitate the federal and provincial governments’ goal of providing Canadians with an electronic health record. Your SJGHEL information will be stored securely on shared health information databases, accessible by your authorized health care provider(s)within the region, province, or nation.

Our hospital foundation(s), so they may conduct fundraising to improve our health care facilities, services, and programs.

Our patient directory: Your name, location and general health status may be given out to persons who are asking for you by phone or in person.

Freedom of Information

St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake (SJGHEL) is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). This Act provides the public with a right of access to general records held by SJGHEL and outlines the hospital’s obligations to protect the privacy of individuals whose personal information we have in our custody or under our control.  SJGHEL’s Privacy Office is responsible for receiving and processing general and personal information access requests under FIPPA. In an effort to be transparent and accountable, SJGHEL commits to making its operational records publicly available, wherever possible. The Act applies only to records that came into the custody or control of SJGHEL on or after January 1, 2007.

What is a Freedom of Information Request?

A freedom of information request is a request completed by a member of the public for access or a correction to records. A freedom of information request does not apply to Personal Health Information. If your request is for health records, please view our Privacy and Confidentiality page.

How do I make a Freedom of Information Request?

You can request access to general records or your personal information or request a correction to your personal information using the Access Request Form or Correction Request Form. Once you have completed and signed the form, send it or hand‐deliver it to:

Privacy Office

St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake
70 Spine Rd,
Elliot Lake, ON P5A 1X2

Please include a cheque or money order for the required fee of $5.00. Do not mail cash. All fees are payable to St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake.

If your request is for health records, please view the Privacy & Confidentiality page. This form is not for requests of personal health information.

Contact Us

To contact us and for more information about our protection practices, or to raise a concern with our practices, please contact our Privacy Officer at:

St. Joseph’s General Hospital
70 Spine Rd,
Elliot Lake, ON P5A 1X2
705-848-7182-ext 2441
privacy@sjgh.ca

You have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario if you think we have violated your rights. The Commissioner can be reached at:

2 Bloor Street East
Suite 1400, Toronto
Ontario M4W 1A8
(416) 326-3333 / 1-800-387-0073
www.ipc.on.ca