Personal Health Information Legislation for Nova Scotia

For the past several years the Department of Health and Wellness has been working with health sector partners on initiatives related to the protection and use of personal health information. As part of the evolution of standards, policy and law on these issues, the Department has developed a Personal Health Information Act for the province.

The Department of Health and Wellness carried out a public and stakeholder consultation from July to November 2008 using the Discussion Paper Personal Health Information Legislation for Nova Scotia. The formal consultation ended on November 1, 2008

The Department introduced Bill 89, the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) in the fall 2010 session. The bill passed on December 10, 2010.

Currently the Department of Health and Wellness PHIA Implementation Team is working with health sector partners on the implementation of the Personal Health Information Act. Implementation activities include preparation of information for the public, development of a toolkit for custodians, and drafting of regulations to support the Act. The Department is aiming to have the Act come into force in winter 2012/13.

• The Personal Health Information Act
• Bill 89 Personal Health Information Act As Passed
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Personal Health Information Legislation for Nova Scotia Discussion Paper (PDF:70p)
• View Press Releases from the Department of Health and Wellness

Questions and comments can be directed to the Health Information Legislation Project at phia@gov.ns.ca or contact the Department of Health and Wellness at 902.424.5419, or toll free at 1.855.640.4765.