Personal Health Information

Both Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) and South Huron Hospital (SHH) fall under the Freedom of Information and Protection Act (FIPPA). This Act provides greater transparency and accountability for the information under the custody and control of both hospitals as public institutions. Anyone has a right to make a request for access to a wide range of information held by the hospital. 

FIPPA does not apply to personal health information (PHI). PHI is governed by the Personal Health Information and Protection Act. All requests related to PHI will be handled in accordance to that Act.

What Information is Accessible under FIPPA

Some information is made publically available on our website, and as such, it may not be necessary to use the provisions of FIPPA to access the information you are seeking. You may use the search function to find the information you are looking for.

How to Make an FIO Request

Should you choose to formally submit a request for information under FIPPA, there is a defined process to follow. Complete the Freedom of Information Request Form. Clearly identify the information you are seeking, and be sure to include your contact information.

• Alexandra Marine and General Hospital FOI Request Form
• South Huron Hospital FOI Request Form

Alexandra Marine and General Hospital
Attention: Privacy Officer
120 Napier Street
Goderich, ON, N7A 1W5

South Huron Hospital
Attention: Privacy Officer    
24 Huron St. W
Exeter, ON N0M 1S2

Alternatively, you may deliver your form and payment by hand. Please Note: Due to legal requirements, emailed or faxed submissions are not accepted. Once we receive your request, we will send you a written acknowledgement of your request.

Both hospitals comply with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA, 2004). As such, our hospitals are responsible for personal information under its custody and control that is created, acquired and/or maintained. You can obtain a copy of your own hospital health record or view your record at the healthcare facility where you were treated by submitting a written request to the Health Records Department.

Obtaining the health record of another individual

Consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal health information is obtained from the patient, regardless of age, as long as the patient is capable of understanding the information presented to them and the implications of their consent or refusal.

If the patient is not capable, consent is obtained from the Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) you may be:

• The patient's guardian of the person or guardian of property
• The patient's attorney for personal care or attorney for property
• The patient's representative appointed by the Consent and Capacity Board
• The patient's spouse or partner
• A child or parent of the patient
• A parent of the individual with only a right of access
• A brother or sister
• Any other relative

In case of a conflict, the capable patient's decision prevails with respect to consent for the collection, use and/or disclosure of their personal health information.

Obtaining the health record of a deceased individual

If you are requesting a copy of the hospital record of a patient that is deceased, you must submit proof of your legal signing authority as well as written request to the Health Records Department.

You must provide either:

• A copy of the deceased person's Will, naming you as the Executor
• In the absence of a Will, a letter notarized by a lawyer to confirm your legal signing authority.

Obtaining a copy of your health record for a third party

You can request that a copy of your hospital health record be released to a lawyer, insurance company, or another third party specified by you, by submitting a written request to the Health Records Department.

Obtaining a copy of your health record for other health care providers

When requested, copies of your health record may be released to health care providers outside the hospital to ensure the best continuing care for you. Your attending physician at the hospital may also share reports or summaries of your treatment at the hospital with other physicians and health care providers involved in your care to ensure they are aware of treatments or medications that may affect your ongoing care.

Contact Information

Alexandra Marine and General Hospital
Attention: Health Records Department
120 Napier Street
Goderich, Ontario, N7A 1W5
Phone: 519-524-8689 ext. 5401

South Huron Hospital
Attention: Health Records Department
24 Huron Street, West
Exeter, Ontario, N0M 1S2

Personal health information includes:

• Information concerning the physical or mental health of the individual
• Information concerning any health service provided to the individual
• Information that is collected in the course of providing health services to the individual, or
• Information that is collected incidentally to the provision of health services to the individual

Your health record includes all information documented about you for the purpose of your care. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Pertinent facts regarding your health history, including all past and present health conditions, illnesses and treatments.
• Your current course of treatment, including assessments and investigations, your diagnosis, plan of care, treatment and interventions.
• Your health record includes information that the hospital generates, as well as information that is received from outside sources.

PHIPA sets out a limited set of acceptable uses of personal health information without consent. Examples of use include:

• Planning or delivering programs or services
• Risk management, error management or activities to improve or maintain the quality of care or any related program or service
• Outside healthcare agencies or healthcare providers
• Obtaining payment or processing, monitoring, verifying or reimbursing health care claims
• Research, provided that specific requirements and conditions are met

The purpose of the Directory of Records is to assist members of the public in exercising their rights of access under the Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) by listing and describing the records in the custody or control of the Hospital.

• General Record: Any record not considered to be a personal information bank or a public record.
• Personal Information Bank: A collection of personal information (but not personal health information) that is organized and can be retrieved by an individual’s name or some other personal identifier.

The Directory contains a list of categories of General Records and Personal Information Banks (PIBs) held by the hospital. These inventories are updated annually.

The Directory does not contain the actual records and it is necessary to make a FIPPA Access Request to the organization’s FIPPA Coordinator.

Directory of records

1. Corporate Records
2. Financial Records
3. Employee Records
4. General Departmental Records
5. Operating Room
6. Pharmacy
7. Patient Care Records
8. Laboratory
9. Patient Registration
   

Some hospital records may already be available to you without making a request in writing under FIPPA. Browse the hospital website or contact the FIPPA Coordinator if you have a question about whether the information may be available without submitting a formal FOI Access Request.