Any personal information you provide to us is collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic does not automatically gather any personal information such as your name, phone number, street or e-mail address.
This information is only obtained if you supply it voluntarily, usually through contacting us via a secure portion of the site. If supplied voluntarily, this basic contact information is stored in a secure Client Relationship Management system. The information will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected such as discussing potential admission to Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic.
If an admission takes place, all personal information is maintained in an electronic medical record (EMR) system and will be kept confidential and in a manner that ensures this confidentiality can be maintained for the seven-year time period that the Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic is required by law to keep such information.
The information will not be disclosed to third parties without your permission, except as required by law in cases of:
- A medical emergency
- A disclosure of child abuse or neglect
- Immediate threats to harm self or others
- A court order or subpoena is presented to Sunshine Coast Health Centre requiring release of information about a client
- An incident (injury, medication error, missing on a hike, etc.) legislated as reportable to BC Community Care Licensing
- Early exit from treatment and a client’s emergency contact is informed
- Early exit from treatment and a client’s funder must be notified and reimbursed
Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic may have a legal obligation to share information about a client with BC Provincial Community Care Licensing or other authorities. In these cases, Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic will release as little information as possible to meet this legal obligation.
For information to be released to any other outside party including family members, lawyers, or employers, a records request form and release specifically outlining the intended use of the personal information by the outside party must be submitted and signed by a client demonstrating consent. This consent to release information may be revoked at any time either verbally or in writing and expires after 12 months or at time of discharge, whichever is sooner.
If you have any questions about the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information, please call 604-487-9050.
Refer to the Privacy Legislation section for more information on the privacy legislation in the province of British Columbia, Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services.