Digital identity service to place patients at the centre of their care

‍ST. CATHARINES, ON, March 30, 2021 /CNW/ – Four Ontario hospitals are launching a digital identity service to give patients a convenient, reliable, accessible, and secure way to access health information and services online. This initiative is led by Niagara Health, building on the hospital’s foundational Navigator mobile app technology.

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Participating hospitals and partners:

• Niagara Health
• Southlake Regional Health Centre
• North York General Hospital
• St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
• IDENTOS and SecureKey Technologies

Together, they introduce the Ontario Trusted Account, a service that enables patients to prove their identity online using their Ontario Health Card, Driver’s License, or Photo Card—just as they would in person.

Why It Matters

Patients in Ontario are currently served by a fragmented system of digital tools with multiple logins and inconsistent security standards. The Ontario Trusted Account addresses these issues by offering:

• Single sign-on access to health services
• User control over shared data
• Encryption & consent-based privacy
• Seamless access across platforms and providers

Technology Foundation

This solution builds on the Niagara Health Navigator App, launched in 2019, which already offers services like:

• ER wait times
• COVID-19 testing access
• Care feedback
• Caregiver support

Pilot Launch – March 2021

Available to patients at:

• Niagara Health: Niagara Falls site (ultrasound appointment check-ins)
• Southlake Regional Health Centre: Hand Clinic and Cardiac Diagnostics Unit

The service is being integrated into the Navigator mobile apps at both hospitals.

Expansion and Future Use

Later this year, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and North York General Hospital will launch their own Navigator apps to support the Ontario Trusted Account.

Future capabilities include:

• Sharing PHI with caregivers and providers
• Unified access to digital health services
• Permission-based data management

Government Support

This initiative is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, as part of the Digital First for Health Strategy and the broader Ontario Digital Identity Strategy. It also aligns with:

• Ontario Onwards: COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government
• Efforts to reduce digital complexity and improve patient experience

More info: 🌐 mytrustedaccount.ca

QUOTES

Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health

“Ontarians deserve a 21st-century healthcare system... The Ontario Trusted Account is a made-in-Ontario innovation enhancing the patient experience.”

Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance & Digital Transformation

“This is a step toward delivering a digital identity to all Ontarians by the end of 2021.”

Lynn Guerriero, President & Interim CEO, Niagara Health

“We are putting patients at the center of their care with secure, easy-to-use tools.”

Rob Bull, CFO, Southlake Regional Health Centre

“This initiative aligns with our Ontario Health Team vision—integrated, patient-centered digital care.”

Duska Kennedy, Chief Digital Officer, North York General Hospital

“We’re empowering patients with secure tools and building strong digital platforms for care.”

Tara Coxon, CIO, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

“We are expanding access to digital care tools across Ontario communities.”

Mike Cook, CEO, IDENTOS & Greg Wolfond, CEO, SecureKey

“This foundational project showcases strong collaboration with great promise for Ontarians and digital innovation.”

Partner Links

• 🔗 Ministry of Health
• 🔗 Niagara Health
• 🔗 Southlake Regional Health Centre
• 🔗 North York General Hospital
• 🔗 St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
• 🔗 IDENTOS
• 🔗 SecureKey Technologies

Media Contact

Will Foran, Communications Specialist
📧 will.foran@niagarahealth.on.ca
📞 Office: 905-378-4647 x43872
📱 Mobile: 289-968-9354

🔗 Related: www.niagarahealth.on.ca