Your personal information will be collected, used, and disclosed in compliance with St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph’s (SJHCG) Privacy or Personal Information Policy and in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). You may request to review these policies. Your personal information will not be used for any purpose not covered by these policies without your consent.

SJHCG adheres to strict guidelines to ensure that your personal information is kept secure, used appropriately, and disposed of safely when no longer needed. You have the right to access and correct your personal information to ensure it is accurate and up to date. Upon request, we will provide you with a record of how your personal information has been used and disclosed.

How We Use Your Personal Information

  1. For Your Healthcare and Treatment
    Your personal information is accessed by your healthcare team to provide you with care and treatment. Members of your care team will only access your health information as needed to fulfill their role in your treatment.
  2. For Operational Purposes at SJHCG
    Your personal information may be used to improve our services through surveys, quality assurance programs, and staff training. SJHCG ensures that all data used for these purposes follows best practices for security and privacy, in compliance with PHIPA.
  3. For Legal, Regulatory, and Ministry Reporting
    SJHCG is required to share certain personal information with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and other regulatory bodies, such as the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP). This is done to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, such as reporting infectious diseases or suspected abuse, as required by law.
  4. For Research and Health Registries
    In some cases, your personal health information may be shared with health registries and agencies, such as the Ontario Cancer Registry or the Ontario Cardiac Care Network. This information may be used for statistical purposes or health research, in accordance with PHIPA’s guidelines for de-identification and patient consent.

Expressed Consent

In certain situations, SJHCG will request your expressed consent before using or sharing your personal information. Examples include:

  • Sharing your health information with family members, friends, or other specified individuals.
  • Using your personal information for fundraising activities (name and address only).
  • Participating in research studies.
  • Sharing your information with certain health agencies, such as the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) or the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry.

Data Security and Retention

SJHCG employs industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Personal information is stored securely, and retention periods are defined based on legal requirements and best practices. When no longer needed, your information will be safely destroyed.

Cross-Border Data Transfers and Residency

SJHCG ensures that personal information remains in compliance with Canadian data residency laws. We do not transfer personal health information outside Canada unless required by law or unless explicit consent has been provided. Any data processed by third-party providers, including those handling surveys or operational tools, will comply with PHIPA and SJHCG’s privacy policies.

Access to Your Information and Correction Rights

You have the right to request access to your personal information and request corrections if the information is inaccurate. Requests for access will be processed in accordance with PHIPA requirements.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about the privacy of your personal information, or if you would like to know more about how your information is used and the security measures taken to protect your data, please contact our Privacy Officer at 519-824-6000 ext. 4662.