The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-01-21, Page 6PAGE 6—GODERICHSIGNA4JTAR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21.1981 crever report proposes 170 changes to- en BY JACK RIDDELL The report of the Ontario Royal Commission ap- pointed to investigate abuses in the disclosure of personal health recordS was released at the end of last year. After nearly three years of en- quiry, Mr. Justice Horace Krever of the Ontario Supreme Court some 170 legislative changes aimed atthe con- fidentiality on- fi " of health records while legalizing certain. forms of disclosure. Terms of reference of the commission, established in December 1977, called for a review of pertinent legisla- tion to ascertain whether n ma:A y of patients' records was being properly protected, and an investiga- tion into any improper ac- tivities or violations of the laws. • Il e c tln[sshm's- report confirmed the existence of widespread abuses, but ad- vised against prosecution of offenders, suggesting the real fault lies in the system. Judge Krever said that his review of. 77 statutes and regulations showed "no con- sistent treatment or. coherent poky regarding the confidentiality of health information", that he had found little in the way of restrictions on. access - to health records except, ironically, for the patients themselves: "In Ontario, patients have very limited rights of access to health information about themselves. Only six sWiges and regulations ex- pressly .confer such rights and the informationto which access�^A is granted is---- restricted m scope." The Krever Report pro- poses that patients be given a. qualified right of access to their own health records and a means of having errors in. those records corrected. A provincially appointed health commissioner could hear appeals for denial of such access on grounds it would harm die patient, and would also hear appeals against refusals to correct patients' records. Confiden- tiality could be protected by a host of new laws and rules to be followed by hospitals, government', agencies, health-care personnel, employers and others who possess health records. Recognizing that conflicts may develop ,.between the needs for privacy and public protection, the report does not actually ban disclosure. "There will be seen throughout the eternal con- flict between the obligation to, and the rights of, patients and the public's need for, or interest in, protection." Only one sanction is pro- posed for breaches of con- fidentiality and that is resort to the courts in the form of a lawsuit. The Report recom- mends that any patient whose health information has been disclosed be given the •"M" to sue for a minimum of $10,000 both the person "who unjustifiably discloses" the information and anyone who induced that pefson to make the disclosure. The main innovation would be the $10,000 minimum and the absence of a time limit for launching the lawsuit. At present, a suit for breach of a provin- cial statute is limitedto ac- tual damages suffered, and must be initiated within six months. Introducing his Report, Judge Krever says his en- quiry began as a modest study of provincial legisla- tion and administrative pro- cesses, but it soon became much more ambitious due to disclosures indicating the magnitude of abuses taking place. Although the Report includes sharp criticism of people and institutions, Judge Krever gives two reasons for recommending againsi:.any prosecutions. First of all, he wants atten- tion focused "on the need for future protection rather than on past behaviour" and secondly prosectuion would be seen as discriminatory, because "it is reasonably clear that those offenders whose activities came to our attention during the enquiry comprise only a fraction of those engaged in conduct of the same type". For example, certain lawyer were identified as involved in obtaining health information without pa- tients' consent. "It iskr>n, however, ft .. __.._ .. __.. _.- _ tel were not confined to the named lawyers but, on the contrary, extended throughout that part of the legal profession par- ticipating in personal injury litigation-" The second volume of the three volume, 1626 -page report, examines the role of police, both as occasional ap- plicants for health informa- tion and 'as regulators of private investigators- f t in- cludes sharp criticism of the role, played by the Roya! Canadian Mounted Police during the investigative hearings and a portrayal of the private»ve_stigation in- dustry in Ontario as 'out of control". In this connection, the report states that respon- ,YOU'LL DO BETTER AT A&P We reserve the right to limit quantities to normal family requirements! (ince:heath colififfeil ''''''''''''''''' sib.ility for regulating private eyes and security guards should stay with - the registration •branch of the Ontario Provincial Police but recommends the branch YOU'LL DO BETTER AT A .46 11— 1 m 0 0 0 J J M Prices effective thru Saturday, January 24th, 1981 be given more powers and personnel to carry out its mandate more effectively. Most of the recommenda- tions relating to the p,lice deal with procedures to be followed in providing health information to law enforce- ment agencies. the overall effect would be to allow the police continued access on presentation of search war - YOU'LL DO BETTER AT A&P SAVE 56? Litit 4 PURE APPLE JUICE SAVE 1.70 NE CI Instant CAFE FFEE 10 -oz jar SAVE 1.20 • Powdered FAB DETERGENT 6 Titre -box l -+t r1 ,i Rmam FOR FRESHNESS .a. -A‘AE FA AND FLAVOUR Olmat A&Pmmi% Sweet, Juicy, Product of California, Seedless,', SUNKIST NAVEL ORANGES rants and to permit, although not require, hospitals to disclose some types of information to police without patients' con- sent. 44, SUPER. BUY! A\\ Ullllllgy0,,,, Carol, 100% Vegetable Oil SOFi MARGARINE 1 -Ib tub i YOU'LL DO BETTER AT A&P YOU'LL DO BETTER AT A&P COME VISIT (Our Regular Price 6.69) We pick the best for you! J Product- of Texas, Washed, Rich in Vitamins Ideal in Salads SPINACH each Canada No. 1 Grade Proudct of Texas, New, Fresh, Green CABBAGE iPk9s684each794 Canada No. 1 Grade Product of Mexico. CUCUMBERS 2or 9 CANADA NO. 1 GRADE, Product of Florida, Crisp, Fresh Celery Hearts is bunch 89? CANADA FANCY, Product of Ona., Crisp, Juicy 5 -Ib bag McIntosh Apples L49 PRODUCT OF CALIFORNIA, FIRM, GREEN Brussels sprouts 1b79¢ PRODUCT OF ARIZONA, LARGE BUNCHES, MILD Green Onions 31or99¢ PRODUCT OF CALIFORNIA, SWEET, JUICY, PLUMP PROD. OF MOROCCO, Sweet, Juicy, Easy to Peel, 'Seedless Grapes Red Emperor lb 89 Clementines 1b89? PRODUCT OF ONTARIO, SNOW WHITE, FRESH SEVERAL VARIETIES, LARGE SIZE 8 -INCH POT Mushrooms 161.79 Tropical Plants 8.99 Purchase these items and help support THE VARIETY CLUB CRIPPLED CHILDREN DRIVE (Plus btl deposit) (Our Reg. Price up to 65c ea. — 000A -OLA or CANADA DRY GINGER ALE(°'y) 750 ml bottle (Our Regular Price 4.19) (Our Regular Price 1.73) 7flfaNll Limit 3 -lbs per family purchase (Our Regular Price 3.79) SAVE 44c Extra Absorbent, Daytime PEPSODENT ,00, 129 PAMPERS TOOTHPASTE tu: DIAPERS.. HEALTH & BEAUTY AIDS AND1 GENERAL MERCHANDISE from A&P youunurzt„ You'll do better with You'll do better with fro SAVE 80c pkg 299 of 24 (Our Regular Price 4.49) Johnson & Johnson, Maxi STAYFREE PADS pkg of 48 BAKED G00DS from A&P! (Our Regular Price 73c) SAVE 50c Jane Parker, 100% Whole Wheat 99_ BROWNA'°°; MOUTHWASH Listermint SAVE 14c JANE PARKER, SLICED, OLD FASHIONED BREAD 24 -oz loaf 83e or 375 ml bottle 1-99 Raisin Bread 16 -oz loaf 89¢ REVLON FLEX, NORMAL OR OILY (350 ml PLUS 125 ml "FREE") Shampoo 475 ml plastic btl 2.29 GILLETTE Trac 11 Blades pkg of 10 2.99 A&P — MEN'S & BOYS' SIZES PAIR JANE PARKER, SNOWFLAKE OR . Twin Rolls pkg of 12 79? JANE PARKER, CINNAMON WHIRLS 9 -OZ PKG OR Butterh.orns Pkg of 61..09 JANE PARKER 15 OZ PKG Tube Sport Socks 1.49 Choc. Brownies 1.79 PKG OF 10 ENVELOPES Neo-Citran "A" Light Chunks 1.99 BYE THE SEA TUNA 6.5 -oz tin 6.5 -oz tin (Our Regular Price 1.45 JANE PARKER (Blueberry Pie Full 8", 22 -oz pt. 1.79) Pumpkin Pie Full B,jnch 165 24 -oz pie . SAVSAVE 46 46¢ Buy2, SAVE upto 31<) (Our Regular Price 1.53) SAVE 24c 1 -Ply Bathroom Tissue, Assorted Colours for DEMPSTERS STONE GR UND WHOLE WHEAT C017NTRY Bran Bread ACTION' PRICE! 24 -oz loaf 69? BUTTERMALLOW, FRENCH MINT QR NUT BORDEAUX, CANDY BARS ACTION PRICE! Laura Secord Pkg of 4L19 ASSORTED, COFFEE CRISP, AERO MILK, K]? ]GAT OR SMARTIES, CANDY BARS ACTION, PRICE Rowntree pkg of 41.19 ASS T WISSOLL ) 00 or to 175 gr Chocolates.{,1.99 ASSORTED"VARIETIES INCL CRISPY CRUNCH & JERSEY MILK, CANDY BARS ACTION PRICE] pkg of 41.19 FROZEN, APPLE WALNUT OR ACTION PRICE! )CHOCOLATE BROWNIES 354 0 PKG Sara Lee Cakes 1.99 pkg. Neilson's WHITE SWAN TISSUE pkg of 4 rolls 129 Nordica SAVE 4:6c (Our Regular COTTAGE CHEESEt'g Price Decorator, Assorted Colours WHITE SWAN TOWELS pkg of 2 rods SAVE 581 ( Our Regular Price 1.57 (Our Regular Price 2.53) Liquid PALMOLIVE LIQUID SAVE 54c 1 litre 99 plastic btl PLASTIC WRAP 1.45) Stretch 'N Sea130mro4.2'9 ECONOM15. TEA BAGS PKG OF 100 Mother Parkers 1.59 DOG FOOp� Gaines Select S kg bag 8.99 YOU'LL L : . BETTER AT A&P YOU'LL DO BETTER AT A&P migammiammus