Notice of collection of personal information
When you receive care and services from Sunnybrook or are employed by Sunnybrook, we will collect personal information about you.
Purposes for collecting personal information
We collect, use and share your personal information for reasons such as:
- Your ongoing care and services
- To help us improve our care and services
- Teaching and education (e.g. training medical students)
- Research (as permitted)
- As required by law (e.g. court order, reportable conditions, providing income tax information etc.)
- To know your eligibility for benefits and services
- Arrange payment for services
Authorization for collecting personal information
The Public Hospitals Act authorizes our collection of information as well as other legislation such as the Health Insurance Act, Health Protection and Promotion Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Child and Family Services Act etc.
Limiting use, disclosure, and retention of personal information
We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is treated confidentially and is only used for the purposes it was collected. We will take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access, use or disclosure of your personal information as directed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Personal information will be retained for a minimum of one year from the last date of use and then securely destroyed in accordance with FIPPA (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 460, s. 5 (1)).
Access to your personal information
Upon written application to Sunnybrook's Freedom of Information Office, an individual will be provided access to information in accordance with Sunnybrook's policies and procedures. Note: In certain situations, Sunnybrook may not be able to provide access to all the personal information it holds about an individual. Exceptions to the access requirement will be limited, specific and in compliance with FIPPA s.49.
Accuracy of personal information
Personal information will be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used. An individual will be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and make a request to have it corrected as appropriate.
Information for patients and persons in residential care
If you are a patient in the hospital or residential care, it is standard practice to provide people who phone and ask about you with information confirming your admission, condition and location in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) s. 38 (3). If you do not wish us to release this information, please inform a staff member at the time of registration or a staff member within your care area.
Comments or complaints
If you would like to make a comment or complaint regarding personal information privacy at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, you may e-mail our Freedom of Information Coordinator at foioffice[at]sunnybrook.ca or contact our Freedom of Information Office at 416-480-6100 ext. 685046. In addition you may contact the Chief Privacy and Access to Information Officer at 416-480-6100 ext. 63538 or email jeff.curtis[at]sunnybrook.ca. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.
Information Privacy complaints can also be directed to:
Ontario's Information Privacy Commissioner
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8
Phone: 1-800-387-0073
