Your rights as a patient
We aim to provide you with the highest level of care and, in doing so, also wish to maintain professionalism.
As a patient, you have the right to be treated with respect and consideration, and among other things:
- Have the right to know what is involved in the proposed treatment
- Have the right to consent to any treatment for yourself or your child
- Have the right to be transparent about costs involved for any treatment
- Have the right to have the privacy of your personal, confidential information protected
- Have the right to make suggestions about services which you think we could improve on
However, as the famous quote goes, with great power (or rights!) also comes great responsibility. To help us provide you with the high level of care which we strive for, we request that you:
- Provide us with as much information as possible about your child’s health and physical condition
- Let us know if your child is taking medication, including homoeopathic medication
- Follow staff members’ instructions
- Be punctual for appointments, or inform us well in advance if the appointment cannot be kept.
- Update us with your current details
- Settle payment for treatment punctually
- Respect other patients and staff members in the practice
- Respect other patients’ privacy and confidentiality
My healthcare rights
Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
These rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia. The Charter describes what you, or someone you care for, can expect when receiving health care.
I have a right to:
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Access
• Healthcare services and treatment that meets my needs Safety -
Safety
• Receive safe and high quality health care that meets national standards
• Be cared for in an environment that is safe and makes me feel safe -
Respect
• Be treated as an individual, and with dignity and respect
• Have my culture, identity, beliefs and choices recognised and respected -
Partnership
• Ask questions and be involved in open and honest communication
• Make decisions with my healthcare provider, to the extent that I choose and am able to
• Include the people that I want in planning and decision-making -
Information
• Clear information about my condition, the possible benefits and risks of different tests and treatments, so I can give my informed consent
• Receive information about services, waiting times and costs
• Be given assistance, when I need it, to help me to understand and use health information
• Access my health information
• Be told if something has gone wrong during my health care, how it happened, how it may affect me and what is being done to make care safe -
Privacy
• Have my personal privacy respected
• Have information about me and my health kept secure and confidential -
Give feedback
• Provide feedback or make a complaint without it affecting the way that I am treated
• Have my concerns addressed in a transparent and timely way
• Share my experience and participate to improve the quality of care, and health services •
For more information ask a member of staff or visit safetyandquality.gov.au/your-rights.