Effective Date: September 23, 2026
Last Updated: September 23, 2026
At Mercury Speech & Language ("we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how our speech-language pathology clinic collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards your information in compliance with the British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), the Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC) code of ethics, and the regulatory standards set by the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC).
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal and health information necessary to provide high-quality speech-language pathology services, manage your account, and fulfill legal and regulatory obligations.
A. Personal Information
* Contact details (name, address, phone number, email address).
* Date of birth and gender.
* Emergency contact or legal guardian information (for minors or dependent adults).
* Insurance, provincial health numbers (BC CareCard/BC Services Card), or third-party funding details.
B. Health and Clinical Information
* Medical history, developmental history, and diagnoses.
* Clinical notes, assessment reports, standardized test scores, progress summaries, and treatment plans.
* Audio, video, or photographic recordings taken during sessions (collected strictly with explicit, separate written consent for clinical or therapeutic tracking purposes).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information to:
* Assess, diagnose, and provide individualized speech-language therapy services.
* Schedule appointments, send reminders, and communicate updates regarding care.
* Process payments, issue invoices, and manage accounts.
* Coordinate care with other healthcare professionals or educational institutions (only with your explicit consent).
* Fulfill legal, regulatory, and professional quality-assurance mandates.
3. Telehealth and Virtual Care Privacy
We offer virtual care (telehealth) services. The privacy and security of virtual sessions are highly prioritized:
* Secure Platforms: All telehealth sessions are conducted using encrypted, healthcare-compliant video conferencing platforms that meet Canadian privacy standards.
* Environment Security: Our clinicians conduct virtual sessions from private, confidential spaces. We require clients to also join from a secure, private room to maintain confidentiality.
* No Unauthorized Recording: Neither the clinician nor the client/guardian may record audio or video of a telehealth session without prior, explicit written agreement.
4. Third-Party Platforms & Billing
We utilize trusted third-party practice management and billing systems to securely handle your information:
* Jane App: We use Jane App(https://jane.app/ "Jane App Privacy Policy") for online booking, scheduling, charting, secure clinical record storage, and credit card processing. Jane App stores data securely in Canada and complies fully with BC PIPA and Canadian healthcare privacy standards.
* Direct Billing & Third-Party Funding: With your consent, we share necessary personal, diagnostic, and billing information with third-party funders to secure direct payment. This includes:
The *BC Autism Funding Program**
* Private extended health insurance providers (e.g., Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life)
* Other authorized provincial or non-profit funding agencies
5. Sharing and Disclosure of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. Your information is only disclosed to third parties under the following circumstances:
* With Your Explicit Consent: To share reports or consult with doctors, teachers, occupational therapists, or other members of your care team.
* Legal and Safety Exceptions (Duty to Report): As required by law, we must disclose information without consent if there is a clear risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or if suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported under the BC Child, Family and Community Service Act.
* Legal Subpoenas: If required by a court order, summons, or warrant.
6. Retention and Storage of Records
Your records are handled in accordance with BC provincial laws and CHCPBC regulations:
* Secure Storage: Electronic records are stored in encrypted, Canadian-hosted cloud servers via Jane App. Physical documents (if any) are kept in locked filing cabinets within an alarmed facility.
* Retention Periods:
* Adults: Clinical records are securely retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of the last clinical entry.
* Minors: Clinical records for children are securely retained until 16 years past their 19th birthday (age 35) as mandated by professional medical record retention standards in British Columbia.
* Secure Destruction: After the statutory retention period expires, physical records are securely shredded and electronic records are permanently and irreversibly deleted.
7. Your Rights
Under BC PIPA, you hold the following rights regarding your personal information:
* Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal and clinical information we hold about you. A reasonable administrative fee may apply for extensive documentation requests.
* Correction: You can request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete personal profile data. (Note: Clinical opinions and observations officially logged in past charts cannot be altered, but a statement of disagreement can be appended).
* Withdrawal of Consent: You may withdraw your consent for the collection, use, or disclosure of your information at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.
8. Contact Our Privacy Officer
If you have questions, concerns, or a complaint regarding our privacy practices or wish to exercise your rights under PIPA, please contact our designated Privacy Officer:
Privacy Officer: Wini Murphey, SLP & Katelyn Eng, SLP
Mercury Speech & Language
Address: 30-7465 Mulberry Place, Burnaby, BC V3H 2E8
Email: info@mercuryslp.com
Phone: 7780775-8255
If our internal resolution process does not address your concern, you have the right to contact the [Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC)](https://www.oipc.bc.ca/ "OIPC BC Official Website").
Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes.