Ths Personal Health Information Act (PHIA)

Newfoundland and Labrador has a law that protects your personal health information, called the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).   PHIA sets out rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information including providing individuals with the right to access their own personal health information. 

PHIA was enacted in 2008 and fully proclaimed on April 1, 2011. PHIA recognizes that people expect their health information to be kept confidential and that it should not be collected, used or disclosed for purposes not related to their care and treatment. Information is also sometimes needed to manage the health care system, for health research and other for other similar purposes. Law enforcement officials, health officials and others may also have a legitimate need to access personal health information, under limited and specific circumstances. PHIA balances an individual's right to privacy with the legitimate needs of persons and organizations that provide health care services to collect, use and disclose personal health information.

A copy of the Personal Health Information Act can be found at:
http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/p07-01.htm