Privacy breach at care facility investigated
The Yukon government is dealing with a privacy and information breach at the Whistle Bend Place long-term care facility.
The Yukon government is dealing with a privacy and information breach at the Whistle Bend Place long-term care facility.
Samantha Henney is the manager of COVID-19 communications for the Department of Health and Social Services.
She told the Star in an email Wednesday that “on Jan.21, when sending out a COVID-19 communication email, addresses of residents and family members were not concealed.
“Other residents and family members who received the letter were able to see the email addresses.
“In response, a security breach investigation has been initiated and is currently underway by the HSS privacy officer, with the full participation of the program area.
“From complaints Continuing Care received from residents and family members, we are aware that a recipient of the letter has started emailing residents and family members requesting personal stories and asking about concerns.”
Henney said information on how to mark unwanted email as spam will be provided to support people to help resident avoid further unwanted emails.
“In one email, it was implied that there might be cuts to Continuing Care staff and services,” she said in the email.
“There are no planned cuts to staff or services,” she said. “We continue to work closely with residents, families and other stakeholders to ensure that residents of the Yukon’s long-term care homes receive the best care possible.
“Throughout the pandemic, most shifts have been staffed above essential, even during January when a letter was sent to residents, families and staff informing them that when Continuing Care cannot cover all the regularly scheduled shifts, the care teams will prioritize providing the care required to maintain the health, safety and dignity of all residents.
“We have not received significant negative feedback regarding staffing levels or services,” Henney concluded.
Contacted by the Star, the territory’s Information and Privacy Commisioner’s office said it has not received any information on the breach.
Comments (4)
Up 8 Down 10
Webster on Feb 14, 2022 at 12:18 am
Every day YTG participates in a privacy breach.
Every person who is employed by YTG has had their right to privacy violated. With only minimal exceptions, we all know that those who are still getting a paycheque are jabbed, and those who have been canned are not.
It's not all that different from those in public who are walking around with mops on their head instead of being well-groomed. Everybody knows that hair cuts aren't available to the deplorables.
Up 4 Down 5
And… on Feb 12, 2022 at 6:30 pm
This should not come as a surprise to anyone of us. It was only a matter of time. We know it is happening in other provinces, ours too, and in seeing it, we put it out of our thought, it's ok, one time thing. But for our senior, it has not been. We are the guilty one by not standing up and bringing this forward. We have hurt our senior/parent……this does not go away! Until Something happens, we will not feel guilt.
Up 12 Down 8
Interesting… on Feb 12, 2022 at 1:55 pm
Well, maybe a clerical error but glad this came to light. Know of few parents lost lives at facilities due to substandard care.
Lots of substandard and lack of care at facilities. Yet staff stand around, text, on computers facebook and shop on line. Time for change never mind good paycheques. That is abuse and neglect for residents!!!!
Up 13 Down 7
Just saying on Feb 11, 2022 at 4:16 pm
This may have been an innocent clerical error not intentionally sent out like it was.
However, there are many care issues in HSS facilities in Whitehorse. Not one is without problem - it may bring out the worms crawling in the dirt that NEED to be addressed for a few years now. Good!!!
I would be resigning as a worker at the facilities knowing what was done if I was an employee there. It is shameful how some residents were and are treated!!!!