Freedom of Information

As of January 1, 2012, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) has been extended to include hospitals. FIPPA provides a general right of access to records that came into the hospital's custody or control on or after January 1, 2007. There are certain exclusions and exemptions from the right of access, such as the right to the protection of personal information.

The principles of FIPPA are: 

• Information should be available to the public
• Exemptions from the right of access should be limited and specific
• Any person may make a request for records held by an institution subject to FIPPA

• Decisions on whether to provide access may be appealed to the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

• To protect individuals from unauthorized collection, use or disclosure of personal information and to provide individuals with a right of access to their own personal information

Please note, access to personal health information, such as a patient’s medical chart, is not available under FIPPA.  SBGHC protects medical information in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). If you wish to make a request for personal health information, please contact the Health Records Department at the Walkerton site (519-881-1220 ext. 2213).

How to Make a Freedom of Information Request

To make a Freedom of Information Request, please complete the Request Form for Access or Correction (click here to access) and submit by mail to:

Freedom of Information Office
South Bruce Grey Health Centre
21 McGivern St. W., Box 1300
Walkerton,Ontario N0G 2V0

*Please include a cheque for $5.00 payable to South Bruce Grey Health Centre. Cash payments must be made in person and can be dropped off along with your completed request form at the Registration desk at any of our sites. Please put your completed request form in a sealed envelope to protect your privacy.

Depending on the nature of the request, there may be a fee for processing.

If you have any questions about making a Freedom of Information request, please email foirequests@sbghc.on.ca, or call (519) 881-1220 ext. 2281.