Access to Information

What is a Health Record? 

A health record is a confidential compilation of pertinent facts of an individual's health history, including all past and present medical conditions, illnesses and treatments, with emphasis on the specific events affecting the patient during the current episode of care.

The information documented in the health record is created by an healthcare professionals providing care and is used for continuity of care.

Brockville General takes every precaution to ensure your personal information is protected. We collect, store, use and share information about you and your health in strict accordance with the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Your personal information

We gain information directly from you or from the person(s) acting on your behalf. We get information from other sources if we have your consent to do so, or if permitted by law. We take steps to protect your personal information from theft, loss, and unauthorized access, copying, modification, use, disclosure and disposal. We also conduct audits and complete investigations to monitor and manage our privacy compliance.

Much of the information that members of the public seek can be found on our website or by making an informal request. This is the best and fastest way to find information.

Accessing information on our website

Our website contains a large amount of publicly available content and should be your first stop when looking for information.

Submitting an informal request

If you can't find what you're looking for online, you may request the information informally by making a direct request to the relevant department or area of the hospital. If you're not sure which department to contact, you can also make informal requests to our Chief Privacy Officer.

Jodi Hunter, Chief Privacy Officer

• Email Jodi Hunter
• Phone: 613-345-5649 ext. 51428

Submitting a formal request

If you cannot find the information online or through an informal request, you must submit a formal request for information.

All records in the custody or control of the hospital are subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This legislation has two main purposes:

• To make public bodies more open and accountable by providing the public with the right of access to records; and
• To protect personal information from unauthorized collection, use or disclosure by public bodies.

Upon request, certain records must be made available, except for limited exemptions as described in the Act.

To request a copy of your personal health information, please complete the Consent to Disclose Personal Health Information form.

Please note the following:

• Consent is to be directed to Brockville General Hospital.
• Name of recipient (person or company to whom the information may be disclosed).
• Treatment/visit date (if the exact date is unknown please provide an approximate range).
• Patient name, date of birth and health card number (if available).
• Purpose of request (i.e. further treatment, legal request, family records, etc.).
• Date of authorization (within 90 days of request).
• Government issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.).

Once completed, the form can be:

• Mailed to the hospital at 75 Charles Street, Brockville, ON, K6V 1S8.
• Faxed to our Health Records department at fax number 613-345-3529.
• Delivered in person. 

Records can be picked up in person during regular business hours or mailed to the requestor. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Health Records by calling 613-345-5649 ext. 51428. 

• If you are requesting records for another person, you will have to provide proof that you have the authority to act for that person.
• For patients who are incapable of signing a consent, a proof of legal signing authority must be provided. Proof of legal signing authority, such as the substitute decision-maker may include the patient's legal guardian, Power of Attorney for Personal Care, spouse or partner, parent, child, sibling, other relative or in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act and the Health Care Consent Act.