A StarPhoenix editorial calls the Saskatchewan government's decision to allow health foundations access to discharged hospital patients' personal information an infringement on citizens' privacy. The measure aims to help foundations fundraise by identifying people who might be motivated to donate. But adopting "implied consent" as the norm in disclosing patients' personal information invites sundry other medical causes to be given access to patient records, the report says. "Commissioner Gary Dickson is absolutely correct when he notes that the decision will undermine public confidence in the ambitious electronic records when, 'for no more compelling reason that just the convenience of health foundations, that information will now be shared on a routine basis.'"
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