Freedom of Information
On this page:
Overview
As of January 1, 2012, The Ottawa Hospital is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Ontario law that provides a right to access information under the control of institutions in accordance with the principles that:
- Information should be available to the public.
- Necessary exemptions from the right of access should be limited and specific.
- Decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government.
FIPPA protects the privacy of personal information of individuals held by institutions, such as The Ottawa Hospital. It also provides individuals with a right of access to, and correction of, that information.
Health Records
FIPPA does not apply to personal health information For access to your health records, or to request a correction, contact the Health Records Department.
Patient Relations
If you have questions, feedback or complaints about the care you or your family member has received, we invite you to contact the Patient Relations Department.
Directory of records
The Ottawa Hospital directory of records provides a listing of the types of records held by the hospital (as required by the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act).
Personal information banks
The Ottawa Hospital is required by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) to produce an index of Personal information banks – a description of the collections of personal information (recorded information about an identifiable individual) maintained to support the hospital’s programs and activities, where such collections are organized and retrievable by an individual’s name or another identifier.
Making a FIPPA request
To make a request for information held by The Ottawa Hospital, you must send a letter that includes enough detail to allow our staff to find the information. You must also include a cheque for the $5 application fee, payable to The Ottawa Hospital.
You must send your request to:
FIPPA Coordinator
The Ottawa Hospital – Civic Campus
Box 656
1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9
The staff time required to locate and prepare records that contain your personal information is free of charge, however you may be charged for the cost of photocopying. For non-personal information, you may be charged for the time required to locate and prepare the records, photocopying costs, shipping costs and costs associated with replying to the request.
Once we receive a request and the application fee, a decision letter outlining our response will be issued within 30 days. In cases where the request involves an extensive search, this time period may be extended. In this letter, you will also be informed of your right to appeal the decision to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
For questions, contact our FIPPA Coordinator at foi@toh.ca. Please note, we will not be able to process requests via email. All requests must be sent by post.
Notice of collection and use of personal information
The Ottawa Hospital collects personal information from patients and employees under the authority of the Public Hospitals Act as well as the Health Insurance Act, Health Protection and Promotion Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Child and Family Services Act etc.
Personal information is collected and used for a variety of reasons such as patient care, quality assurance, teaching, employment and benefits and research.
Limiting use, disclosure and retention of personal information
We treat personal information with the same care as we do personal health information. We take reasonable steps to ensure it is protected, remains confidential and is only accessed by those authorized to do so and for the purpose for which it was collected. Personal information is retained for a minimum of one year from the last date of use and then securely destroyed in accordance with FIPPA.
Right of access and correction
You can request to see the personal information that we have on file. You may also request that we update the information if you feel it is inaccurate or out of date. If you would like to see your personal information or request a correction, please contact our Information and Privacy Office.
Public sector salary disclosure
The Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996 (the “Act”) makes Ontario’s public sector more open and accountable to taxpayers.
Under the Act, Ontario hospitals (and other public organizations) that receive at least $1,000,000 in funding annually must disclose a list of the names, positions, salaries and taxable benefits of employees who earn $100,000 or more within the calendar year.
The list is available on Ontario’s Public Sector Salary Disclosure webpage.
Contact us
The Ottawa Hospital Information and Privacy Office
613-739-6668
613-761-4740
The Ottawa Hospital – Civic Campus
Box 656
1053 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9