Grateful Patient Programs Under Fire in Ontario

AHP Canada Supports Bill C-6

Almost every healthcare institution in Ontario is currently operating a grateful patient program, providing an opportunity for former patients to contribute to the advancement of health care in our communities. These programs are operated with the utmost sensitivity and concern for the privacy of personal health information.

Association for Healthcare Philanthropy Canada members in Ontario have access to limited patient information and respect the confidentiality of that information through the AHP Statement of Professional Standards and its companion Bill of Donor Rights. AHP also provides Guidelines for how a Grateful Patient Program should operate.

The following documents are appended to this presentation which can be downloaded by clicking on the option at the end of this report:

• AHP Statement of Professional Standards (Appendix A)

• A Donor Bill of Rights (Appendix B)
• Guidelines for a Grateful Patient Program (Appendix C)

Grateful Patient Programs provide an opportunity for individuals, whose lives and good health have been preserved or enhanced through the use of the healthcare system, to contribute in support of the continued delivery of high quality health care services. Many patients who respond to these programs express appreciation for the opportunity to give back to the health care system and become life-long donors to those organizations.

Great care is taken by hospitals to ensure that the privacy of former patients is respected during the process of seeking philanthropic support. This is done by way of strict confidentiality agreements and transfer of a limited amount of patient information. In most institutions information is limited to name, address, telephone number. To further avoid the possibility of an inappropriate request some development offices also receive age, general service and the name of the attending physician.

** Click here to download the full report on Bill C-6**

(Adobe Acrobat Reader required)