Statement of Information Practices

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Statement of Information Practices
Collection of Personal Health Information
We collect personal health information about you directly from you or the person acting on your behalf.  The personal health information we collect may include, for example, your name, date of birth, address, health history, employment status, OHIP number, education, personal interests and personal support systems.  Spiritual and cultural information may also be collected.  We make records of your visits and the service you received during those visits.  We will not collect personal health information about you from any other source unless we have your consent to do so or if the law permits.  We encourage your permission to share information with a family or primary contact and with other agencies who are involved in your care.
How we will use the information and who we will share it with.
We use and share the information to:
  • Provide support / advocacy services
  • Provide statistics to those that fund and regulate our agency
  • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law.
  • Plan and manage our agency and compile statistics
  • Teach other professionals.
  • Conduct risk management and quality improvement activities, such as sending client satisfaction surveys.
Your Choices How to Contact Us
You may access and correct your personal health record or withdraw your consent for some of the uses above by contacting us (subject to legal exceptions).  Access may be restricted to “read only” in some cases.  If copying is required, there may be a charge to offset expenses.

You may choose to receive service in a place other than our agency premises.  There are some risks associated with meeting you in a public place.  Despite our best efforts to have a discreet conversation someone may recognize you and presume that you are a client of the agency or overhear the conversation.
Our privacy contact person can be reached by calling this number:

PH: 807-274-2347 ext 11

FAX: 807-274-2473

Shiela Shaw, Privacy Officer
P.O. Box 446
Fort Frances, On
P9A 3M8
Important Information
We take steps to protect your personal health information from theft, loss and unauthorized access, copying, modification, disclosure and disposal.
We take steps to ensure that everyone who performs services for us will protect your privacy and use your personal health information only for the purposes you have consented to or as required by law.
When we believe it is in your best interest to use or to share personal health information, in a manner which is not described on this statement, for example, with a housing provider or a potential employer or a person who may be supporting you in your recovery, we will ask your consent to do so and keep a note of the information used or shared in your health file.  These consents will remain valid for the period you are in active service with us or until you withdraw consent.
You have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commission/Ontario if you think your rights have been violated. Send a written complaint to the Information and Privacy Commission of Ontario at 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8, Fax 1-416-325-9195 Ph 1-800-387-0073,
Developed by the Privacy Officer CMHA – Fort Frances