The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) provides a right of access to records held by public bodies and regulates how public bodies manage personal information. FIPPA also provides an independent review process for people who disagree with access and privacy decisions made by public bodies under the Act.
FIPPA’s privacy section has the underlying principles that are similar to other privacy laws, like the Personal Health Information Protection Act, which already applies and will continue to apply to hospitals. FIPPA's section on freedom of information, however, represents a significant change for hospitals. Under FIPPA, individuals have the right to request access to records held by government organizations unless the information falls under an exemption or is otherwise excluded from that Act.
Hospitals are subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FIPPA") as of January 1, 2012. As a Shared Service Organization, CHSS is considered an agent of its hospitals; CHSS acts on behalf of its members but hospitals have control/ownership of the documents. CHSS is not subject to FIPPA requests directly. If a FOI (Freedom of Information) request is made directly to CHSS, it will forward the request to the hospital with the largest vested interest in the subject at hand. However, CHSS might be asked by hospitals to retrieve tender or contract information in our possession, under a FOI request.
Vendors are considered independent service providers and are not subject to FIPPA. Documentation provided to hospitals and/or CHSS by vendors may be eligible for access under FIPPA and be subject to 3rd party notices.