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The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights allows patients, consumers, families, carers and services providing healthcare to share an understanding of the rights of people receiving healthcare. This helps everyone to work together towards a safe and high-quality health system. A genuine partnership between patients, consumers and providers is important so that everyone achieves the best possible outcomes.
Patient rights
Patients have:
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A right to health care
You have a fundamental right to adequate and timely health care. Sometimes this may not be at the healthcare facility you first attend as not all services are necessarily available everywhere. You can contribute to the right of access by trying to meet your appointments and telling the facility when you cannot.
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A right to safe and high quality care
If you are unsure about what is happening to you or if you think something has been missed in your care, alert your healthcare provider. Let your provider know any circumstances that might make your health care riskier.
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A right to be shown respect, dignity and consideration
You are entitled to receive care in a way that is respectful of your culture, beliefs, values and characteristics like age and gender. It is important to tell your healthcare provider of any changes in your circumstances. You should provide verbal consent prior to service or treatment prior to physical examination by a health practitioner which includes, but is not limited to: assistance with showering, cleaning or toileting and insertion of an intravenous cannula or administration of an injectable medication.
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A right to be informed about services, treatment, options and costs in a clear and open way
Healthcare providers will tell you about the care you are receiving and help you understand what is happening to you. You can contribute to communication by being as open and honest as you can be. To understand the instructions given to you, you can ask questions if you would like more information. You can use interpreters if English is not your first language. Interpreter services are free and can be provided in person or by phone.
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A right to be included in decisions and choices about care
You are encouraged to participate in decisions about your care. Ask questions if you are unsure about what is happening to you. Involve your family or carer if this makes you more comfortable and sure.
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A right to privacy and confidentiality of provided information
You are able to see your records and ask for information to be corrected if it is wrong. In some situations your health information will need to be shared between healthcare providers. You can also contribute by respecting the privacy and confidentiality of others.
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A right to comment on care and having concerns addressed
Healthcare providers want to solve problems quickly, but they need to be told about the problem first. If you have any suggestions about how services could be improved please let staff know. The procedures used by the health service organisation to comment about your care should be made available to you. You can provide verbal or written comments about the procedures and your experiences.
Patient responsibilities
Your responsibilities as a patient are:
- To provide the hospital and your doctor(s) accurate/complete information about your medical history, (physical or psychological), medications, allergies, and current health condition and special needs for discharge from hospital.
- To clarify and discuss any aspect of your care you do not understand with your healthcare team.
- To follow your healthcare plan and comply with any instructions for your care and safety to act in a manner that does not compromise your safety.
- To consider the rights of other patients, particularly in relation to noise (personal space, radios, mobile phones, TVs and visitors) and property within the care area.
- To respect and treat staff with courtesy and ensure that your family and visitors act accordingly. The hospital has a zero-tolerance policy in respect to harassment, verbal abuse, bullying and aggression, and breaches will result in security intervention.
- To accept financial responsibility for all services rendered.
- To adhere to infection control measures: patients and visitors should practice good hand hygiene, and follow infection control guidelines to prevent the spread of infection.
- To stay 1.5m away from others if possible.
- To follow requests from the facilities to help keep patients and staff safe.
Advance Health Directive
An Advance Health Directive (AHD) is a formal way to give instructions about your future healthcare. It comes into effect only if your cognitive health deteriorates and you become unable to make your own decisions i.e. lose capacity to make decisions.
If you have an AHD, please forward this document to us when you book your admission or bring a copy on the day of your admission.