Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) outlines how we protect the personal information we collect about you. Personal information is any identifying information about you, including your physical and mental health.

The Clinic including all of its physicians and staff are committed to protecting the personal information of our patients. Everyone working for the Clinic is required to adhere to this Policy. If you have any questions regarding our privacy practices or this Policy, please contact your physician.

What personal information do we collect?

Patient identification and contact information (e.g. name, physical address, email address, date of birth, phone number, emergency contact, etc.)

Patient billing information (e.g. provincial plan and/or private insurer)

Patient health information (e.g. symptoms, diagnosis, medical history, test results, reports and treatment, record of allergies, prescriptions, etc.) and sometimes photographs or video recordings

Limits on collection of information: We collect only personal information that we consider is required or necessary to provide care, administer or supervise the care that is provided and/or to communicate with you. We only collect personal information that we consider is required to fulfill these purposes. We do not allow personal information to be used for other purposes without your expressed (written or verbal) consent - except where required or authorized to do so by law.

When and to whom do we disclose personal information?

By virtue of seeking care from us, your consent for your personal information to be used by the Clinic to provide you with care, and/or to share your personal information with other health care providers involved in your care, is implied (i.e. assumed).

Other health care professionals involved in your care and with whom we may share your personal information include (but are not limited to) other physicians and specialists, pharmacists, nurses, lab technicians, nutritionists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

We do not sell, trade or transfer your personal information to outside parties. Relevant information excluding personal health information may be provided to trusted third parties we may use to operate our website, to conduct our business or to provide service to you, as long as these parties agree to maintain confidentiality of the information.

Disclosures authorized by law: There are limited situations where we are legally required to disclose your personal information without your consent. These situations include (but are not limited to) billing provincial health plans, reporting infectious diseases and fitness to drive, or by court order.

Disclosures to all other parties: Your express consent is required before we will disclose your personal information to third parties for any purpose other than to provide you with care or unless we are authorized to do so by law. Examples of disclosures to other parties requiring your express consent include (but are not limited to) third party medical examinations, enrolment in clinical (research) trials and provision of charts or chart summaries to insurance companies.

Withdrawal of consent: You can withdraw your consent to having your personal information shared with other health care providers or other parties at any time, except where the disclosure is authorized by law. However, please discuss this with your physician first.

How can you access the personal information collected in this Clinic?

You have the right to access your medical record or obtain a copy of your medical record in a timely manner. If you would like to request a copy of your medical record, this will be arranged at a reasonable fee. If you want to view the original medical record, one of our staff must be present to maintain the integrity of the medical record, and a reasonable fee may be charged for this access. Patient requests for access to their medical record must be made in writing to the responsible physician at the Clinic address.

Limits on access: In extremely limited circumstances you may be denied access to your medical record, for example if providing access would create a significant risk to you or to another person.

What if you feel your record is not accurate?

We make every effort to ensure that all of your information is recorded accurately in your medical record. If an inaccuracy is identified, you can request that a note be added to your file.

How secure is your personal information?

Safeguards are in place to protect the security of your personal information. These safeguards include a combination of physical, technological and administrative security measures that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the personal information. These safeguards are aimed at protecting personal information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification.

What is our communications policy?

We protect personal information regardless of the format. Please note that confidentiality and security cannot be guaranteed when personal information is transmitted through e-mail or other electronic communication. We are not responsible for any loss or damage due to a breach of security and/or confidentiality of personal information that you transmit to us by email or other electronic communication, or at your request, we transmit such information to you using these means.

How long do we keep personal information?

We retain patient records as required by law and professional regulations.

How do we dispose of information when it is no longer required?

When personal information is no longer required, it is destroyed in a secure manner, according to set procedures that govern the storage and destruction of personal information.

Changes to this Policy

We may review and change this Policy from time to time.