|
Subject/Title
Environmental Health - Release of Information |
Reference Number: |
| Effective Date: | |
| Approving Authority: Executive Management |
Date Revised: |
| Classification: Information Security and Privacy |
Last Review: |
| Next Review: |
| Note: The Calgary Health Region is committed to ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the policies on its Regional Policy Website. As policies are reviewed and updated periodically, the information contained in this document is accurate only on the date that it is viewed/printed (2010/09/02). Before relying on the information after this date, please check the Regional Policy Website for any changes to the policy. If you have any questions regarding this notice or the information presented in this policy, please contact Regional Policy Services using the Feedback link below. |
| Feedback |
|
Reason For Policy · To ensure that the release of information from Environmental Health is in compliance with the Health Information Act (HIA), the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) and the Public Health Act. · To provide guidelines for release of environmental health information to ensure that requests are handled in a consistent, clear, open, accurate and timely manner. Policy Statement 1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS All requests for Environmental Health information shall conform to the provisions outlined in the Health Information Act, theFreedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) and the Public Health Act. 2. THIRD PARTY NOTIFICATION Each inspection report shall contain a third party notification statement. No additional third party notification will be carried out for records that do not require a FOIPP request. 3. ROUTINE RELEASE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RECORDS The following Environmental Health records will be routinely released, therefore, do not require a formal FOIPP request: 3.1 Routine Inspection Reports Routine Inspection Reports will be released upon request, subject to section 4.0. 3.2 Complaint Inspection Reports Completed Complaint Inspection Reports will be available only to the complainant upon request. 3.3 Closure of Public Places The records specifying the reasons and conditions of Closure of a Public Place will be made available. Arrangements to view documents are to be made in consultation with Environmental Health. 3.4 Environmental Health Policies A copy of the current Environmental Health policies will be made available. Arrangements to view documents are to be made in consultation with Environmental Health. 3.5 Legal Searches A record search on a property or facility for outstanding health orders or environmental health issues relating to the Public Health Act will be made available upon written request, subject to section 4.2. Written consent of the owner of the property or facility in question must be attached. 4. FEES 4.1 Inspection Reports An initial $15.00 processing fee (per facility or premise) shall accompany each request. A fee of $0.25 will be assessed for each photocopied page. 4.2 Legal Searches An initial $50.00 processing fee shall accompany each request for a legal search. If a site inspection is required, an additional $50.00 will be assessed. Applicability This policy applies to all staff, medical staff, students, volunteers, and contractors who work within or provide services on behalf of the Calgary Health Region. Definitions ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT - documentation resulting from the activities carried out under Section 69(1) of the Public Health Act. This documentation includes, but is not limited to, orders, inspection reports, and water sampling results. Routine inspection reports do not include food borne illness investigation outbreak reports. PUBLIC PLACE - as per Section 1(u) of the Alberta Public Health Act "includes any place in which the public has an interest arising out of the need to safeguard the public health and includes, without limitation, (i) public conveyances and stations and terminals used in connection with them, (ii) places of business and places where business activity is carried on, (iii) learning institutions (iv) institutions (v) places of entertainment or amusement, (vi) places of assembly (vii) dining facilities and licensed premises, (viii) accommodation facilities, including all rental accommodation, (ix) recreation facilities, (x) medical, health, personal and social care facilities, and (xi) any other building, structrure or place visited by or accessible to the public." LEGAL SEARCH - a request for information concerning outstanding orders or file searches for a particular site. Additional References Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Health Information Act Public Health Act |