The Provincial Government is today launching an engagement process to inform a review of the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), which will help deliver on government’s commitment to protecting the privacy of personal health information and ensuring Newfoundland and Labrador’s legislative framework remains effective, responsive, and up to date.
As part of its review of the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), the Department of Health and Community Services is seeking feedback from the public and interested parties on:
- Findings and recommendations of the 2023 PHIA Review Report, including issues related to access, disclosure, governance and accountability.
- Young people’s privacy rights and decision-making authority to ensure that the roles of young people, parents or guardians and health-care providers are clearly addressed in decisions involving personal health information.
This engagement will address the concerns raised earlier this year by parents, guardians and families regarding parental access to children’s health information and the implementation of MyChart through CorCare. Feedback gathered will help government consider how the Act can best support the privacy rights of young people and the rights and roles of parents and guardians while supporting the health and well-being of children and youth in the province.
Residents will also have several ways to provide input, including:
- An online questionnaire available at EngageNL.ca
- Emailing PHIAReview2026@gov.nl.ca.
Mailing written submissions to:
Personal Health Information Act Review
Department of Health and Community Services
P.O. Box 8700
1st Floor, West Block, Confederation Building
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
Online submissions through EngageNL will be accepted until September 21, 2026.
Written submissions will be accepted until September 30, 2026.
The engagement process will also include virtual consultations with key stakeholders. Organizations will be contacted directly to schedule these consultations.
Input gathered through this engagement will inform potential legislative amendments in the fall to help clarify, strengthen and modernize the province’s health information framework.
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“Protecting personal health information is fundamental to maintaining trust in our health-care system. As we review the Personal Health Information Act, we want to hear from residents, health-care providers, families and all other stakeholders on how the legislation can be strengthened and modernized. This feedback will help ensure our health information framework continues to protect privacy, support appropriate access to information, and reflect the needs of children, youth and families across the province.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Health and Community Services
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