PrintFreedom of Information at UHN
On January 1, 2012 the University Health Network (UHN) became subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA/the Act). The Act provides the public with a right of access to general records held by UHN and also sets out the hospital’s obligations with respect to the protection of personal information. The Act applies only to records that came into the custody or control of UHN on or after January 1, 2007.
UHN is committed to conducting its business in a manner that promotes transparency and accountability. It is the practice of UHN, in keeping with the spirit of FIPPA, to make its operational records publicly available wherever possible.
Personal Health Information that is in the custody or control of UHN is not subject to FIPPA. It is subject to the Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA). Requests for access to personal health records should be directed to Your Health Record.
Making an Access Request for Information
When making an access request for general records or for records of personal information held by UHN, please use the application form.
You must clearly describe the records you are requesting. To help identify the records, you may wish to consult UHN’s Directory of Records or our Published Documents section. Included under Published Documents you’ll find: Executive Contracts, Expense Reports, Strategic Plans and other key UHN documents.
Your request must be accompanied by a $5.00 application fee payable by cheque or money order to the order of the University Health Network. Credit card payment is accepted by completing the fields on the reverse of the form. Please do not send cash in the mail.
Your form must be mailed to the following address:
Freedom of Information Coordinator
University Health Network
R. Fraser Elliott Building, 3rd floor
190 Elizabeth Street
Toronto, ON M5G 2C4.
You will receive a response within 30 days.
Fees
In addition to the $5 application fee, FIPPA allows organizations to recover costs for such items as record search and photocopying. You will be notified if your request will cost more than $25.00 to process, and you may be asked to pay a deposit if the estimated processing costs exceed $100.00.
Non-disclosure
In the event that UHN decides, in accordance with FIPPA, not to disclose a record, or part of a record that you have requested, you will be provided with a description of the record, the reason(s) for which the record is not being released, and you will be advised of your right to appeal UHN’s decision to deny access to the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario. The Commissioner has the authority to review all decisions made under FIPPA.
You may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner here: http://www.ipc.on.ca
For more information, please contact UHN’s FIPPA Coordinator at FOI@uhn.ca or at 416 340-4800 x 7197.
