Latest news with #Shamji
Hamilton Spectator
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford government moving more hip and knee surgeries into private clinics
Ontario is looking to shorten wait times for hip and knee replacements and other orthopedic surgeries by adding up to 20,000 procedures over the next two years at privately run clinics. Just days after announcing an expansion of CT scans and endoscopies at 57 surgical and diagnostic centres granted licences as part of a plan by Premier Doug Ford's government to provide more community health care, Health Minister Sylvia Jones issued a call for proposals from clinics Wednesday. 'We're working to deliver even more connected and convenient care for people,' Jones said in a statement. Ontario is expanding privately run surgical and diagnostic centres to deliver MRI and CT scans Liberal MPP Adil Shamji (Don Valley East), an emergency room physician and his party's health critic, said the government should only be outsourcing medical procedures from hospitals to not-for-profit clinics — to avoid a 'wild, wild west for essentially any vendor to come in and offer to do these surgeries.' He pointed to a data breach last week at Ontario's home-care agency — whose previous chief executive officer was fired months ago over a medical supply shortage — as a reason for caution. Ontario Health atHome CEO Cynthia Martineau was terminated Tuesday, following reports that home 'As we've seen with Ontario Health atHome and the home care hush-up, the government cannot be trusted to identify new vendors, monitor them and ensure that they deliver quality services with appropriate oversight and guardrails.' About 200,000 home-care patients had their health information breached March 17 via a cyberattack at Ontario Health atHome vendor Ontario Medical Supply — a privately run company. Patient names, contact information and medical supplies and equipment ordered were exposed in the breach. It exposes vulnerable patients to identity theft, bank and other frauds, and reveals sensitive medical information, Shamji said, calling for people impacted to be offered creditor monitoring. 'People weren't informed until I forced the issue ... it should have happened immediately,' Shamji added, referring to a news conference he held last Friday. Ontario Health atHome has since issued an advisory to patients that says the breach has been reported to Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner and noted an investigation is underway. Patients with concerns can call 1-866-377-7567. Shamji and other critics have said moving more medical procedures out of hospitals into community-based clinics could bleed the public health system of doctors, nurses and other resources at a time when patients face long waits in emergency rooms. They also fear patients will be pressured at privately run clinics to pay for extras not covered by OHIP, although the government states 'no centre can refuse an insured service to a patient who chooses not to purchase uninsured upgrades.' There are more than 900 private clinics providing medical services such as X-rays and blood tests in the province as has been the case for decades under Progressive Conservative, Liberal and New Democrat governments.
Global News
27-06-2025
- Health
- Global News
Ontario health agency reports major data breach to watchdog without notifying patients
Government and privacy officials are investigating a potential data breach involving the health data of hundreds of thousands of patients who have not yet been notified about an incident in the spring. On Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Sylvia Jones and the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) all appeared to confirm that the data of patients using the Ontario Health atHome service may have been breached. In a letter to Ontario Liberal MPP Adil Shamji, who first flagged the potential cyber attack, the IPC suggested he was correct when he said the incident occurred more than three months ago in March. The IPC commissioner confirmed to Shamji that a report had been filed 'that aligns with the circumstances and date described in your letter.' Shamji had said the breach happened on or around March 17 and involved 200,000 patients. Story continues below advertisement A spokesperson for the IPC told Global News the watchdog had received reports of a breach from Ontario Health atHome — which did not report it until the end of May. The government didn't confirm the breach until June 27, after questions at an unrelated news conference. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Ontario Health atHome notified our office of a privacy breach on May 30, 2025,' the spokesperson wrote. 'At this stage, we are reviewing the circumstances of the incident and cannot share further details at this time.' Jones said the public agency responsible was investigating. 'Ontario Health is absolutely investigating right now,' she said. 'We have a division that focuses on any potential cyber breach, and as is standing operating (procedure) Ontario Health and Ontario Health atHome will notify if there has been any form of breach to individual patients, but that investigation is going on right now.' With the breach potentially occurring in March and the IPC notified last month, it is unclear why patients potentially involved have not yet been notified. Shamji said they should have been notified long ago. 'I fundamental tenet of a breach of this nature — especially involving so many people — is to immediately notify those individuals,' he said. 'They need to know that their personal information may be compromised and that they need to be monitoring things like credit scores.' Story continues below advertisement Ford appeared to suggest his office had not been informed, despite Ontario Health atHome telling the IPC about the breach a month earlier. 'We'll find out where the gap is and why it wasn't brought to our attention a lot earlier, but we're glad the investigation is happening,' Ford said on Friday. Global News sent questions to Ontario Health but did not receive a response ahead of publication. The potential data breach is the latest issue in a difficult period for Ontario Health atHome, a rebranded and consolidated agency launched by the Ford government. Supply shortages in the fall left more than 350 people receiving home and palliative care across the province without the medication or equipment they needed. Delays in delivering supplies came after the government signed new contracts with private vendors for Ontario Health. As a result of the delays, the province had to refund $219,000 to people forced to buy their own medical supplies. Shamji said the data breach was evidence of an agency which couldn't function properly. 'Ontario Health atHome has been in disarray for months,' he said. 'First with medication shortages and then with supply shortages, then with massive delays in care and now with the protection of personal health information. They've failed on all those things.'
Hamilton Spectator
27-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario investigating alleged data breach of 200,000 home care patients' info
TORONTO - Ontario is investigating an alleged breach of 200,000 home care patients' personal health data, Health Minister Sylvia Jones said Friday. Liberal health critic Adil Shamji said he has unearthed information that an Ontario Health atHome data breach affecting at least 200,000 patients occurred in mid-March and was never disclosed to the public. 'I remain significantly, significantly concerned that there is an urgent, clear and present risk to Ontario home care patients that deserve to know that sensitive personal health information has been compromised of theirs and specifically has not been disclosed,' Shamji said. He did not reveal how he knows about the alleged breach, but has asked the information and privacy commissioner to investigate. Ontario Health atHome is responsible for co-ordinating in-home and community-based care. Shamji said about one-third of all home care patients in the province have been affected. He wrote to Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Patricia Kosseim last week and again on Friday outlining his concerns. Kosseim wrote back to Shamji on Friday, saying her office is looking into the matter. 'I can confirm the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario has received a report of a privacy breach that aligns with the circumstances and date described in your letter,' Kosseim wrote. The province says Ontario Health atHome is investigating one particular vendor that held that data and whether private information was taken. 'Ontario Health and Ontario Health atHome will notify if there has been any form of breach to individual patients,' Jones said. Premier Doug Ford said the province will get to the bottom of it. 'We will find out where the gap is and why it wasn't brought to our attention a lot earlier,' he said. Ford said the matter is personal to him, after his and his brother Rob Ford's medical information was breached in 2014. 'Anyone who breaches health-care records needs to be fired immediately,' Ford said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Sun
27-06-2025
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Ontario probes alleged data breach of 200,000 home care patients' info
Liberals say a breach affecting at least 200,000 patients occurred in mid-March and was never disclosed to the public Published Jun 27, 2025 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 1 minute read Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones. Photo by Postmedia files Ontario is investigating an alleged breach of 200,000 home care patients' personal health data, Health Minister Sylvia Jones said Friday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Liberal health critic Adil Shamji said he has unearthed information that an Ontario Health atHome data breach affecting at least 200,000 patients occurred in mid-March and was never disclosed to the public. 'I remain significantly, significantly concerned that there is an urgent, clear and present risk to Ontario home care patients that deserve to know that sensitive personal health information has been compromised of theirs and specifically has not been disclosed,' Shamji said. He did not reveal how he knows about the alleged breach, but has asked the information and privacy commissioner to investigate. Ontario Health atHome is responsible for co-ordinating in-home and community-based care. Shamji said about one-third of all home care patients in the province have been affected. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He wrote to Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Patricia Kosseim last week and again on Friday outlining his concerns. Kosseim wrote back to Shamji on Friday, saying her office is looking into the matter. 'I can confirm the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario has received a report of a privacy breach that aligns with the circumstances and date described in your letter,' Kosseim wrote. The province says Ontario Health atHome is investigating one particular vendor that held that data and whether private information was taken. 'Ontario Health and Ontario Health atHome will notify if there has been any form of breach to individual patients,' Jones said. Premier Doug Ford said the province will get to the bottom of it. 'We will find out where the gap is and why it wasn't brought to our attention a lot earlier,' he said. Ford said the matter is personal to him, after his and his brother Rob Ford's medical information was breached in 2014. 'Anyone who breaches health-care records needs to be fired immediately,' Ford said. Toronto Raptors News Toronto Raptors Music Canada
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ontario measles outbreak crosses 1000; Quebec, New Brunswick declare infection over
Ontario is facing a massive medical scare with outbreak of measles overwhelming its public health infrastructure. The most populous province of Canada has 1,020 measles cases, with 884 infected people as confirmed cases while doctors classify the remaining 136 as probable. While there have been no deaths, 76 infected people have been hospitalized including seven who had to be admitted to the intensive care units. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan suspends Simla pact: What it means & who's affected What is India's defence muscle if it ever has to attack? Can Pakistan afford a full-scale war with India? The rapid spread of the infection in Ontario comes just a few days after the measles outbreak in another province - Quebec was declared to have come to an end. Quebec, which shares its borders with Ontario, reported the first measles case in December 2024 and was declared over after reaching 40 in mid April 2025. But the situation is far more grim in Ontario where the 'cases are only going up', according to Liberal public-health critic Adil Shamji. Addressing a a press conference on Thursday (April 25), Shamji added, "The last time that we had an outbreak like this in Canada, Google search hadn't been invented yet and Brian Mulroney (1984 to 1993) was our prime minister." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Canada's first measles case was in New Brunswick in October 2024. The infected person had travelled to the region carrying the virus. By January 2025 the total number of cases in New Brunswick had reached 50 after which the public health authorities declared the outbreak over. Measles has been reported from Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Alberta health officials have reported 129 confirmed cases till April 25. Live Events Ontario's 15 public-health units have reported measles but the worst-affected are Southwestern Public Health, Grand Erie and Huron Perth. The three units together account for over 600 infections till date. According to the official data , Ontario reported less than 10 percent of the cases between 2013 and 2023, but the situation took a turn for the worse in late 2024 and 2025. While a highly contagious disease, measles is usually not a serious medical condition except infants and small children. It can affect anyone but can be easily prevented by getting vaccinated. Once infected, the person develops life-long immunity to the disease. The measles virus spreads through the air by droplets produced during coughing or sneezing by an infected person. The symptoms take about 10 to 14 days to manifest. They are cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash.
