Conversations with our Public Health Nurses are confidential. However, you should be aware of the following situations in which your personal information may be disclosed to persons outside of Student Counselling, Health & Well-being (SCHW):

• We are required by law to report to the appropriate authorities any suspicions that a child (someone presently under the age of 16) has been, or is currently being physically, sexually or emotionally abused, neglected or witnessing domestic violence.
• If you are in serious and imminent danger of hurting yourself or someone else, we may need to reveal to an appropriate third party (e.g. health care providers, ambulance, police, special constables, family, etc.) enough information to help you and to protect others.
• If you are involved in a legal proceeding, the court may subpoena our records.
• If you report that a member of a regulated health profession (e.g. medical doctor, psychologist, nurse, social worker, psychotherapist, etc.) has initiated correspondence or contact with you of a sexual nature, we will need to report the professional to their regulatory body.
• As part of the regulatory activities to protect the public interest (e.g. audits) of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the College of Nurses of Ontario, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
• Release of Information under the Missing Persons Act; Reporting of Abuse or Neglect under the Long Term Care Homes Act and the Retirement Homes Act.

SCHW Public Health Nurses work as part of a university circle of care team and may consult about client files. In these situations, identifying details will remain confidential whenever possible.