Welcome to Grand River Hospital’s privacy and access office

Grand River Hospital (GRH) is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information and places the highest value on openness, transparency and accountability.

At GRH, our privacy and access program regulates how we collect, use, disclose, retain and protect patient's personal health information and personal information. We also work closely with the release of information team to ensure disclosure of information is meeting GRH and Ontario privacy standards.

The information you give us about yourself and your family is important to our work at the hospital. It is important to your treatment and to any study you or your family may be taking part in. We collect and use information about you and your family in order to provide the best care possible.

To learn more about how the hospital protects the privacy of your information, click here, or call the privacy and access office at 519-749-4275, or e-mail us at confidentiallyspeaking@grhosp.on.ca

Our website is broken down into three main streams which include:

1) Protecting your privacy: learn about the ways in which we protect your information or access your medical records or other information about you that may exist at the hospital.

3) About the privacy and access office: learn more about the functions and philosophies of the privacy and access office.

What is privacy?

The principle functions of the privacy office include:

• Auditing health information systems;
• Investigating and documenting incidents;
• Privacy training for staff, students and affiliates;
• Facilitating lockbox requests;
• Facilitating correction requests;
• Updating policies and procedures;
• Responding to privacy questions/concerns;
• Updating policies and procedures;
• Facilitating chart reviews for research, QCIPA, and internal retrospective reviews;
• Liaising with privacy professionals in other organizations; and
• Processing freedom of information requests consistent with relevant legislation.

• Correction/Addendum of Personal Health Information policy
• Lock Box Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Privacy Pamphlet
• Privacy Code Policy
• Release of Information Policy

We also have several forms that may benefit you.

Forms relating to patient health records

• Correction Addendum of Personal Health Information Form
• Patient Authorization for Release of Health Record Form
• Release of Information Fee Schedule
• Consent to Communicate by Email Form

Forms relating to privacy

• Locking Personal Health Information Form
• Unlocking Personal Health Information Form
• GRH's Confidentiality Agreement for Staff and External Stakeholders
• Complaint Form
• Fax Cover Sheet

 Forms relating to accessing non-health records

• FIPPA Request/Access to Personal Information Form
• Correction of Personal Information Form