Your Rights

Privacy

For information relating to the collection, use, storage and access to your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Patient Rights

Respect

You should always be treated with respect. This includes respect for your culture, values and beliefs, as well as your right to personal privacy.

Fair Treatment
No-one should discriminate against you, pressure you into something you do not want or take advantage of you in any way.

Dignity and Independence
Services should be provided in a way that respects your dignity and independence.

Proper Standards
You have the right to be treated with care and skill, and to receive services that reflect your needs. All those involved in your care should work together for you.

Communication
You have the right to be listened to, understood and receive information in whatever way you need. When it is necessary and practicable an interpreter should be available.

Information
You have the right to have your condition explained and be told what your choices are. This includes how long you may have to wait, an estimate of any costs and likely benefits and side effects. You can ask any questions to help you be fully informed.

It’s Your Decision
It’s up to you to decide. You can say no or change your mind at any time.

Support
You have the right to have someone with you to give you support in most circumstances.

Teaching and Research
All these rights also apply when taking part in teaching and research.

Complaints
It is OK to complain – your complaints help improve services, and It will not have an adverse effect on the way you are treated.

Patient Responsibilities

As a patient of our hospital, you have a responsibility to: 

• Respect the dignity and rights of other patients, visitors and hospital staff
• Cooperate with staff in the provision and planning of your health status and admission
• Provide accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalisations, medications and other matters relating to your health
• Inform the hospital if you have any Advanced Health Directive, Power of Attorney or Enduring Guardianship for any health and/or personal matters
• Contact the hospital should you wish to cancel or postpone your admission or if you are unable to arrive at the scheduled time
• Tell staff and/or your doctor immediately if you have any concerns about your condition or if there is any aspect of your care that you do not understand
• Follow the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for your care. This may include following instructions of nurses and allied health personnel as they carry out the coordinated plan of care and implement the responsible practitioner's orders
• Accept the consequences of your actions if you refuse treatment or do not follow the practitioner's instructions
• Report unexpected changes in your condition to the responsible practitioner
• Respect hospital property, policies and regulations
• Finalise all accounts pertaining to your hospitalisation
• Provide information concerning your ability to pay for services
• Direct any complaint to a staff member so that appropriate steps can be taken to remedy your concerns

Further Information

The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights (the Code) establishes the rights of consumers, and the obligations and duties of providers to comply with the Code. It is a regulation under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act

The Code also provides information on what to do if you have a complaint about your care or private health insurance. Further information about the Code is available by visiting the Health and Disability Commissioner website. Copies of the Code are also available at Boulcott hospital.