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Personal Health Information Act

Information for the Public: What does PHIA mean to me?

The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) is a new provincial law that governs the collection, use, disclosure, retention, disposal and destruction of your personal health information. PHIA came into force on June 1, 2013.

The Act recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal health information and the need of custodians to collect, use and disclose personal health information to provide, support and manage health care.

• There are currently strict measures in place to protect your health information. PHIA provides improved privacy protection measures.

• PHIA balances your right to privacy with the benefits of sharing your personal health information with other health care providers involved in your care.

• You may request access to your personal health information or request that your personal health information be corrected.

• If you feel that your information has been accessed inappropriately, the law allows you to make a complaint to the custodian of your information.

• There are stronger requirements for safeguards to protect information housed in electronic information systems.