According to a March 13 news release, Nunavut’s department of health will be conducting territory-wide consultations “to gain community feedback on laws related to personal health information.”
“The information gathered will help identify potential issues or concerns Nunavummiut have that will inform new health specific privacy legislation,” it states.
The community consultation will seek feedback on things such as: the definition of “personal health information;” who should have access to health information; how it can be kept secure and who should be responsible for maintaining that security.
“The Government of Nunavut recognizes the importance of protecting the privacy, confidentiality and security of health information,” states the release. “Personal health information includes information that makes an individual identifiable that relates to their physical and mental health and the health services they receive. Health information is very personal and may contain information an individual wishes to keep confidential.”
Consultations will be held the evening of March 19, in Whale Cove and the evening of March 26, in Cambridge Bay.
Additional details can be found in the release.
“The [Government of Nunavut] encourages all residents to join and share their thoughts with representatives from the Department of Health on how to improve the privacy of health information,” it states.
The privacy of health information in the territory currently is governed by access to information legislation.
“Currently, Government of Nunavut (GN) health providers, including allied health professionals within Nunavut’s public bodies, are bound by the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP),” states a government spokesperson in an email. “ATIPP is access and privacy legislation governing various forms of personal information in the custody or control of all GN public bodies.”
They went on to clarify that pharmacies, medivac providers and “other entities such as boarding homes, dentists’ offices, and ambulance services are not covered under ATIPP but are regulated by federal legislation.”
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