|
Privacy
New Brunswick’s health info laws to start
in September
 FREDERICTON –
Legislation governing how personal health information is collected, used
and shared in New Brunswick will take effect September 1, Health
Minister Mary Schryer (pictured) announced. Among other things, the act
will ensure that residents of the province have the right to access and
correct their own health records.
The Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act defines the
responsibilities of individuals and organizations collecting,
maintaining and using personal-health information for the purposes of
delivering health services.
“We must ensure we have a suitable regulatory and legislative framework
to ensure responsible stewardship of our residents’ most private
information – their health information,” said Schryer. “This legislation
also fulfils commitments we made in Transforming New Brunswick’s
Health-care System: The Provincial Health Plan 2008-2012, to ensure that
the privacy and security of personal health information continues to be
safeguarded.”
The legislation also:
• defines how personal health information is collected, protected, used
and disclosed;
• requires consent to collect, use or disclose personal health
information;
• ensures individuals have rights to obtain access to and correct their
personal health information; and
• provides an objective means to review and resolve individuals’
concerns about how their personal health information was handled.
The Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act was introduced in
the legislative assembly in May 2009 after the Personal Health
Information Task Force held public consultations.
“The consultations we held with health officials, stakeholders and the
public were helpful in putting this legislation together – to assure
that all New Brunswickers will continue to be protected,” said Schryer.
More information is on the Department of Health website.
Posted August 26, 2010
|
