For Patients: Your rights & responsibilities

Your rights & responsibilities

As a patient in our Hospital, we encourage you to be informed of your rights and responsibilities.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT WHILE IN OUR CARE

You have the right to:

• A quality, personalised health service that aims to improve your chances of getting well
• Information on the services this hospital provides
• An interpreter service if you need it
• A clear explanation of:
  • your condition, problem or disease
  • any planned treatment or investigation
  • any alternative procedures available
  • possible side effects or after effects, unwanted outcomes, and any risks
  • information about your hospital account regardless of who is paying
• Withdraw your consent and refuse treatment, within the law
• Be treated without bias, regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, sexual identity or beliefs
• Meet with and talk privately with people you choose and send and receive personal mail unopened
• Participate in activities of social, religious and community groups, where possible, unless there is a medical reason not to
• Know who the people providing care and service to you are, and their qualifications
• Have the details of your hospitalisation kept confidential by the hospital and staff except where you have authorised the hospital to tell people or the law states otherwise
• Privacy while undergoing treatment, examination and discussions about your care
• Expect reasonable safety and comfort
• Be informed about the health care system, including how much insurance coverage is available for services, extra costs, and how you can be referred to other health and social facilities and services in the community
• Access your medical record under the law and hospital policy
• As in the case of all medical treatment, you are entitled to ask for a second opinion, but this may be impractical in an emergency situation
• Resources and support for people with special needs.

Your responsibilities:

• It helps to understand your condition and treatment. Please ask questions if you are unsure or do not understand something.
• You have the responsibility to provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present condition, past illnesses, hospitalisation, medication and any other information about your health.
• It is in your interest to follow the treatment or care that staff advise. If you do not intend to do this, tell your doctor, nurse or therapist. You will be responsible for your actions if you do not follow the prescribed care or refuse any treatment.
• You should keep follow-up appointments or tell staff if this is not possible.
• You must comply with hospital rules and regulations for patient care and conduct.
• Try to find out as much as possible about hospital procedures. Always feel free to ask our staff questions.
• You should pay your bills promptly unless alternative arrangement are made.
• Please show consideration and respect for other patients, staff and property of the hospital. This includes respecting other patients’ right to privacy.
• All medication provided by the hospital or bought in by you needs to be locked in a drawer and dispensed by a nurse.