Policies, Procedures, and Practices

Accessibility statement

Our policy and procedure on accessibility reflect our commitment to providing excellent customer service. This includes integrated services to persons with disabilities in a manner that respects their dignity and independence, is respectful of their disabilities, and offers the same opportunity to access our goods and services in the same place and in a similar way as other members of the public.

This policy complies with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its regulations.

Our commitment

NWHU values all of our clients and customers and is committed to providing excellent customer service in every aspect of our business.

We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for people with varying abilities and by meeting the accessibility requirements under the AODA.

We are committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We believe in providing service to everyone.

Our policy

1. NWHU will make all reasonable efforts to provide a barrier-free environment for its clients/customers, students, employees, job applicants, suppliers, visitors and other stakeholders who enter the premises and access our programs and services.
2. We will
   1. Welcome people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal or support person, or who use assistive devices, to our workplaces that are open to the public.
   2. Provide notice of temporary disruption in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in services.
   3. Welcome feedback from all customers, including those with disabilities, and respond to any complaints about service in a timely manner.
   4. Train all staff to consider persons with disabilities in our day-to-day work and to take their disabilities into account when communicating and interacting with them.
   5. Identify and regularly review our policies and procedures and consider the impact of policy revisions for persons with disabilities. Upon request, provide emergency and public safety information accessible to persons with disabilities, in accessible formats or with communication supports.
3. All NWHU staff abide to follow these principles for accessibility while planning programs, services, activities and events, and in developing related policies, procedures and practices:
   1. Dignity
   2. Independence
   3. Integration
   4. Equal opportunity

Our accessibility-related policy, procedure, and plan

Accessing materials in an accessible format

You can use one of the following ways to request a copy of any of the documents required under the AODA in accessible format:

• Complete your request using the Client Feedback Form which is also available from the receptionist in each NWHU office. You may request assistance from NWHU staff to complete the form.
• Phone the Accessibility Officer at 1-800-830-3147 ext. 301253.
• Email your request to accessibility@nwhu.on.ca

Privacy statement

The following explains how the health unit manages the personal information that we collect and your rights to access or correct that information.

Our commitment

We are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information.

The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), S.O. 2004, governs the handling of all personal health information by Northwestern Health Unit. The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), R.S.O 1990, governs all non-health-related personal information and other records in the health unit’s possession. These two laws regulate how we may collect, use, retain, disclose and dispose of your personal information.

NWHU only collects personal health information needed to provide public health programs and to plan and evaluate our services. The main (but not only) legislation that allows us to do this is the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990.

Collection of personal health information

We collect personal health information about you from you or from the person acting for you. The information that we collect can include:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Health history
• Records of your visits to the health unit
• Care that you received during your visits

Sometimes we collect health information about you from other places if you have agreed that we can, or if it is legal to do so.

How we use and disclose your personal health information

We use and disclose your personal health information to:

• Treat and care for you. 
• Plan, deliver and manage our services. 
• Compile statistics (names are not disclosed). 
• Share information with your other health care providers. 
• Meet legal requirements.

Your personal health information rights

You have the right to:

• See and correct your personal health records. 
• Tell us you want to withdraw your consent for some of the ways we use your information.

How we protect your personal information

We protect your personal information by:

• Making sure your information is not lost, stolen or used by someone that should not have access. 
• Making sure it is kept private and is stored and/or disposed of in a secure way. 
• Ensuring that everyone that performs services for us protects your privacy and only uses your health information in the way you have agreed it can be used. 

How to contact someone about your personal information

Contacting us about your information

For more information about our privacy practices, or to access or correct any personal information about you held by NWHU, contact our Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinator:

Terms and conditions of use

The NWHU website (www.nwhu.on.ca) provides up-to-date and accurate information on a variety of topics, programs, services and research. 

This information is provided by public health nurses, public health inspectors, epidemiologists, doctors, community partners as well as Canadian and international health organizations, and is intended for the use of residents of northwestern Ontario. 

NWHU works to promote wellness, prevent disease and injury, and protect the public’s health through the delivery of public programs, services and research. 

The information that we offer on www.nwhu.on.ca is meant to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his or her health care provider. For specific medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, please talk to your doctor. 

Information found on www.nwhu.on.ca is for general informational purposes and is subject to change. Although our goal is to provide current and accurate information, Northwestern Health Unit is not responsible for any damages resulting from incorrect or out-of-date information. 

Please note: The NWHU website contains links to other websites. We do not endorse or otherwise accept the responsibility for the content, security or privacy policies of those websites.

Copyright

NWHU is the sole owner or authorized user of the information contained on www.nwhu.on.ca, including, but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images and audio and video clips, which is protected by national and international copyright laws and treaties. This information is intended for personal and educational use. Republication, retransmission, reproduction or other use is prohibited. 

However, NWHU encourages community partners and non-profit organizations to request permission to use our materials. To ask permission, please contact the us at talkpublichealth@nwhu.on.ca and provide the following details:

• A description of the work you hope to use. 
• A description of how you intend to use the work, including in what format, how it will be distributed, whether it is for commercial gain and the date by which you hope to receive permission. 

Please note: Do not use, reproduce or adapt the work until you have received permission from NWHU.

Advertising

NWHU does not host or receive funding from advertisers. You can see where we get our funding by reviewing our audited financial statements.