Fort Simpson Records Breach: Update

What happened?

  • On December 13, 2018 an individual notified the NTHSSA that they were in possession of a box of medical records from Fort Simpson.
  • On December 14, 2018 the individual with the box of records was served with a demand to return the records from the NTHSSA’s legal counsel. The same day the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories also contacted the individual and requested the files be returned.
  • The files were turned over to RCMP in Fort Simpson on December 14. These files were transported to Yellowknife and turned over to the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

What is happening now?

  • The files from the breach are in the possession of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. 
  • The NTHSSA is working to notify patients impacted by this breach. Impacted individuals are being sent letters via registered mail. 
  • We have contracted two individuals with experience in privacy and health records administration to undertake this work. The investigation will look at how the breach happened, what policies and procedures were in place, and what can be done to ensure this does not happen again. 
  • We aim to have the investigation complete by the end of April, 2019. Further updates will be provided once the investigation has been complete and we have had the opportunity to review the results. 
  • The NTHSSA will continue to cooperate with the work of the NWT Information and Privacy Commissioner. 

Who can I contact for more information and to understand whether or not I am impacted?

  • Individuals with questions can contact Brianne Timpson, Territorial Manager of Quality and Best Practice, at 867-669-4101 or brianne_timpson@gov.nt.ca.
  • Note that the files in question are related to mental health and addictions services that took place from approximately 1990 – 2005. If you did not receive mental health and addictions services, or if you did not receive services within this timeframe it is unlikely that you were impacted.

What should you do if you find someone’s health record?

  • We ask that anyone who finds, or thinks they have found health or social services records to contact your local health centre and have the records returned immediately.
  • If someone’s health information is breached the NTHSSA has a responsibility to let those impacted know. Having records returned immediately helps ensure no further impacts to people whose information has been breached.

If you have information about this privacy breach:

  • If you have details you wish to share about this specific privacy breach please contact the NTHSSA or the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories at the contacts below:
  • NTHSSA: Brianne Timpson, Territorial Manager of Quality and Best Practice:
  • Information and Privacy Commissioner:
    • Phone Number:    1-867-669-0976
    • Toll Free:    1-888-521-7088
    • Fax Number:    1-867-920-2511
    • Email Address:    admin@atipp-nt.ca