Privacy Notice

At New Path Youth and Family Services, we are committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of the health information we collect, disclose, use, store, retain and destroy. Our privacy practices are based on the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) which protects your personal health information.

Your health record includes information relevant to your health including your date of birth, contact information, health history, family health history, details of your mental health, records of your visits, the care and support you received during those visits, and information from other health care providers.

Your record is our property, but the information belongs to you.

With limited exceptions, you have the right to access the health information we hold about you, whether in the health record or elsewhere.

You can request a copy of your record. If you wish to view the original record, one of our staff members must be present. If you need a copy of your health record, please ask your health care provider or contact us in writing at: 165 Ferris Lane, Barrie, Ontario L4M 2Y1 attention: Privacy Officer, or ask our health care provider who will explain the process. A copy will be provided at a reasonable fee. In rare situations, you may be denied access to some or all your record (with any such denial being in accordance with applicable law).

We try to keep your record accurate and up to date. Please let us know if you disagree with what is recorded, and in most cases, we will be able to make the change or otherwise we will ask you to write a statement of disagreement and we will attach that statement to your record.

Everyone here is bound by confidentiality. We have to protect your information from loss or theft and make sure no one looks at it or does something with your information if they are not involved with your care or allowed as part of their job. If there is a privacy breach, we will tell you (and we are required by law to tell you).

We collect, use and disclose (meaning share) your health information to:

• Treat and care for you
• Provide appointment reminders to you and/or send client surveys to you
• Update you of upcoming events, activities and programs
• Coordinate your care with your other health care providers including through shared electronic health information systems such as Ontario Health Teams, Ocean E-Referral, Electronic Medical Records, Connecting Ontario, and local, regional and provincial programs
• Deliver and evaluate our programs
• Plan, administer and manage our internal operations
• Conduct risk management, error management and quality improvement activities, including the Canadian Centre for Accreditation
• Educate our staff and students
• Dispose of your information
• Seek your consent (or consent of a substitute decision-maker) where appropriate
• Respond to or initiate proceedings
• Conduct research (subject to certain rules)
• Compile statistics
• Allow for the analysis, administration and management of the health system
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Fulfil other purposes permitted or required by law

Our collection, use and disclosure (sharing) of your personal health information is done in accordance with Ontario law.

You have a right to make choices and control how your health information is collected, used, and disclosed, subject to some limits.

We assume that when you come to receive health care from us, you have given us your permission (your consent) to use your information, unless you tell us otherwise. We may also collect, use and share your health information in order to talk with other health care providers about your care unless you tell us you do not want us to do so.

There are other cases where we are not allowed to assume we have your permission to share information. We may need permission to communicate with any family members or friends with whom you would like us to share information about your health (unless someone is your substitute decision-maker). For example, we will also need your permission to give your health information to your school or your boss or to an insurance company. If you have questions, we can explain this to you.

When we require and ask for your permission, you may choose to say no. If you say yes, you may change your mind at any time. Once you say no, we will no longer share your information unless you say so. Your choice to say no may be subject to some limits.

BUT there are cases where we may collect, use or share your health information without your permission, as permitted or required by law. For example, we do not require your permission to use your information for risk management or error management, or quality improvement purposes. We also do not need your permission to share your health information to keep you or someone else safe (it’s called to eliminate or reduce a significant risk of serious bodily harm); or to meet reporting obligations under other laws such as for health protection of communicable diseases, child safety, or safe driving.

You have the right to ask that we not share some or all your health record with one or more of our team members or ask us not to share your health record with one or more of your external health care providers. This is known as asking for a “lockbox”. If you would like to know more, please ask us how to restrict access to your health record. If you request restrictions on the use of and disclosure of your health record, a member of our team will explain your choices and potential repercussions for those options.

For children, there is no magic age when you become able to make your own decisions about your health information. If you are under the age of 16, there are some additional rules to know:

If you are under the age of 16, your parent(s) or guardian will also be allowed to make some decisions about your health record. But they won’t be able to make decisions about any records about treatment or counselling where we asked for your permission alone.

We encourage you to share information with your family and other caregivers to have supports you need. We also encourage you to ask your health care provider questions to find out more about privacy and your family and caregivers.

If you would like a copy of our Privacy Policy, please click here or email us or ask us for a copy at one of our locations.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have about our privacy practices. You can reach our Privacy Officer at: Privacy Officer New Path Youth & Family Services 165 Ferris Lane Barrie, Ontario L4M 2Y1 Tel: 705-733-2654 ext. 2522 Fax: (705) 735-6826 E-Mail: privacy@newpath.ca

If, after contacting us, you feel that your concerns have not been addressed to your satisfaction, you have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. The Commissioner can be reached at:

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

1-800-387-0073 or visit the IPC website via www.ipc.on.ca.