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 The
Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
provides a public right of access to information held by hospitals,
provides protection of personal information not regulated
by Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), regulates
how hospitals manage personal information and provides a review
process for people who disagree with decisions under the Act.
FIPPA applies to hospitals as of January 1, 2012, but is retrospective
to January 1, 2007.
The Act requires that hospitals protect the privacy of an
individual’s personal information existing in hospital
records. It also gives individuals the right to request access
to hospital information, including most general records and
records containing their own personal information not regulated
by PHIPA.
The following links contain additional information regarding
the Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and
the Personal
Health Information Protection Act.
Directory of Records
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
requires Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBHRSC)
to maintain a current Directory of Records that includes a
list of Personal Information Banks. A Directory of Records
describes the types of General
Records maintained by TBRHSC and Personal
Information Banks describes a list of personal information
held by TBRHSC. Personal information includes any information
that may identify an individual. Personal privacy is protected
under FIPPA, however specific records within the Directory
of Records may be subject to release under FIPPA. The Directory
of Records and Personal Information Banks are reviewed and
updated annually.
Informal
There is no requirement to invoke the formal provisions of
FIPPA in order to obtain information. Informal inquires are
welcome and will continue to be dealt with by the appropriate
department heads. FIPPA does not pertain to personal health
information which is governed by PHIPA and personal employee
information which in most cases is excluded under FIPPA. Continue
to contact Health Records about accessing or correcting personal
health information and Human Resources about accessing or
correcting personal employment information.
Formal
Most hospital records will be released upon request, unless
there are particular reasons to restrict them. A list of all
exclusions and exemptions can be found within the Act.
A request for access to information may be made by completing
an Information Access/Correction Request Form. This form is
not mandatory but recommended as a guideline for the details
required. Written requests that refer to the Act will also
be also accepted. Each formal Request Form or written request
must be submitted with a non-refundable $5.00 application
fee.
A formal request for information under FIPPA is not a request
for, or correction of, personal health information governed
by PHIPA or personal employment information excluded under
FIPPA. Continue to contact Health Records or Human Resources
as appropriate.
Forward completed forms along with the non-refundable $5.00
application fee (cheques payable to “Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre”) to:
When a request is submitted, Thunder Bay Regional Health
Sciences Centre will respond within 30 days. This response
will either provide access to the requested record, or notify
you that the information cannot be released under specific
provisions of the Act. If Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences
Centre requires a time extension to prepare the response,
you will be notified of this within 30 calendar days of making
your request.
For more general information or inquires about FIPPA you
may also contact the Freedom of Information Coordinator at
foi-tbrhsc@tbh.net
or (807) 346-5238.
Fees related to Freedom of Information Requests
Additional fees may apply based on the processing and searching
procedures required in retrieving a request. Records will
only be released after full payment of the processing and
search fees has been received. Where it is anticipated that
the fees will be over $100 you will be contacted by the FOI
Coordinator and a deposit of 50% will be required to secure
the retrieval of the records. Refunds will be issued if the
deposit exceeds the actual costs incurred.
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