Ontario has launched a criminal investigation into a major breach of personal health data that is reportedly affecting as many as 200,000 home care patients. Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced the inquiry after those details were made public by Liberal health critic Adil Shamji on Friday. If a reported mid-March date of the data breach is accurate, this incident raises a lot of questions about the safeguarding of sensitive health data.
Dr. Adil Shamji disclosed the breach in an open letter to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Patricia Kosseim. He sent that letter last week and followed up with Friday’s reiteration. In her response, Kosseim acknowledged receipt of the report, stating, “I can confirm the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario has received a report of a privacy breach that aligns with the circumstances and date described in your letter.”
The probe is looking into whether private data was inappropriately accessed or removed. Premier Doug Ford emphasized the province’s commitment to uncovering the circumstances of the breach, asserting that “we will find out where the gap is and why it wasn’t brought to our attention a lot earlier.” He further promised that whoever was behind the healthcare records infringement “should be fired on the spot.”
Shamji has expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, “I remain significantly, significantly concerned that there is an urgent, clear and present risk to Ontario home care patients who deserve to know that sensitive personal health information has been compromised.” He noted that this violation could have affected up to one-third of all patients receiving in-home care across the province. It’s an important issue that should not be missed.
Jones’ office and Kosseim’s office are investigating the matter together. Ontario Health atHome – which helps patients manage chronic conditions at home – is one of the other organizations affected, evaluating the breach’s impact. Jones confirmed that Ontario Health and Ontario Health atHome would notify patients directly if there’s any breach. They are passionate about providing the public with full transparency and knowledge.
This breach would be the second major embarrassment for Ontario Health atHome in under a year. Last autumn, home care and palliative care patients suffered due to delays and shortages of medical supplies. With very little time, Ontario Health atHome encountered pushbacks and limitations, but swiftly made moves. Just weeks prior to the most recent discovery, they started new contracts for air-lifting medical supplies.
As the investigation unfolds, officials remain focused on ensuring that patients continue to receive necessary medical supplies while addressing any potential risks to privacy and security.
