The province’s opposition leader is concerned about the privacy of Nova Scotians.
Zach Churchill is reacting to news that a former Nova Scotia Health employee ‘inappropriately’ accessed the personal health information of nearly 2,700 people.
It happened at St. Martha’s hospital in Antigonish.
Churchill says a few weeks ago, the Houston government passed legislation to give the minister or a designate access to private healthcare records.
“We’ve been concerned about this because of these privacy issues, and the potential for bad actors to get access to people’s personal health records,” said Churchill.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson has said she’s not interested in people’s personal information, but only in aggregate data to help improve the system.
When it comes to the St. Martha’s breach, the health authority says the person responsible has been terminated and that they view this as a summary offence under the Personal Health Information Act.
They add that employees and physicians only have access to information that is required for them to perform their duties.
All those affected will hear directly from Nova Scotia Health to discuss details.
RCMP are investigating.
Over 2,600 patients of St. Martha’s Hospital had their health records accessed in a data breach. This is exactly why we opposed the Houston government’s legislation to give the Minister of Health and her department full access to your private medical records without your consent. pic.twitter.com/AzLJI5g9TE
— Zach Churchill (@zachchurchill) April 21, 2024
