Personal Health Information Act Review

Overview

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is reviewing the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA). This review will help make sure the law continues to protect personal health information and reflects current health care practices, evolving privacy expectations, and residents’ needs. 

As part of this work, the Department of Health and Community Services is seeking public feedback on the findings and recommendations of the 2023 PHIA Review Report, which identified opportunities to clarify, strengthen, and modernize Newfoundland and Labrador's health information privacy framework.  

The public engagement will explore recommendations across the report, including issues related to access, disclosure, governance, and accountability. Within this broader review, there will be additional focus on young people's privacy rights and decision-making authority. This recognizes the importance of ensuring that PHIA clearly addresses the roles of young people, parents or guardians, and healthcare providers in decisions involving personal health information.  

Public feedback will help inform the Department's consideration of potential amendments to PHIA and support the development of a modern, effective health privacy framework for Newfoundland and Labrador.  

What is the Personal Health Information Act?

The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) is a health privacy law that protects personal health information. The Act explains how health care providers can collect, use, and share health information while keeping it safe and secure. 

PHIA calls the people and organizations that collect, use, share, and protect personal health information "custodians."  Examples of custodians include, but are not limited to:  

  • Health care professionals (for example, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and dentists)  

  • NL Health Services  

  • WorkplaceNL 

  • Provincial government departments when they provide health care services 

  • Nunatsiavut Government departments when they provide health care services

PHIA gives individuals rights related to their health information. These rights include the right to access their information and request corrections if information is inaccurate or incomplete.

PHIA recognizes that health information is private and establishes rules for when personal health information may be collected, used, or disclosed. At the same time, it allows health care providers to access and share information when necessary to provide care and support the health system.  

Young People's Privacy Rights

PHIA recognizes that young people may make decisions about their own personal health information if they understand the information and the potential consequences of their decisions, regardless of age. Where a young person lacks this understanding, a parent or guardian may make decisions on their behalf. The 2023 PHIA Final Review Report found that the current rules are not always clear and recommended legislative updates to clarify decision-making authority for young people, including establishing that parents or guardians would generally make decisions for those under 16 unless the information relates to treatment that the young person consented to themselves or the young person demonstrates the capacity to understand the information and consequences of the decision. Public feedback will help inform consideration of these proposed legislative changes. 

Learn More

How Can You Get Involved?

Online Questionnaire:

This questionnaire will be available until September 21, 2026.

The questionnaire should take about 15 minutes to complete. It asks about:

  • Personal health information
  • Recommendations from the 2023 PHIA Review Report
  • Privacy rights for young people

Participation is voluntary. You may skip any questions you do not wish to answer.

You must log in or register to complete the questionnaire.

If you have any questions about the questionnaire or need it in another format, please contact the Department of Health and Community Services at phiareview2026@gov.nl.ca. 

Written Submissions:

You may also take part by sending written comments by email or mail.

The deadline for written submissions is September 30, 2026. 

Send written submissions by email or mail:
Email: phiareview2026@gov.nl.ca 
Mail: Janelle Hippe
         Department of Health and Community Services
         1st Floor, Confederation Building 
         P.O. Box 8700
         St. John's, NL 
         A1B 4J6 

How Will Your Input Be Used?

The Department of Health and Community Services will review the feedback received. The feedback will help inform the PHIA review. The Department will also share anonymized results of the questionnaire with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services. 

Privacy Statement 

Please do not include your name or any details that could identify you or someone else in your questionnaire answers or written comments.

Information is being collected under section 61(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. The purpose is to collect public feedback on the PHIA review.

Any personal information received will be managed under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. It will only be used to support the PHIA review and related program development.

If you have any questions about how this information will be collected, used and shared, please contact Privacy-HCS@gov.nl.ca.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or additional comments, please contact:
Department of Health and Community Services 
Email: phiareview2026@gov.nl.ca