Standards of Health Care

You have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity, respect and courtesy;
• Receive quality services from qualified staff;
• Receive safe services within a secure environment;
• Receive confidential services within legal and NSW Health Guidelines;
• Receive treatment in privacy, where appropriate and possible.

Access

You have the right to:

• Choose to be treated as a public or private patient in a public hospital;
• Receive information on where health services and treatment are available, if they are not available locally;
• Request a health care interpreter;
• Apply for a travel allowance if you need to travel more than 200km to receive treatment;
• Receive services that are free from discrimination regardless of your age, gender, disability, sexuality, marital status, race, religion, political beliefs, ethnic background or language.

Information

You have the right to:

• Be advised as to whom is caring for you during your hospital stay;
• See your Health Record within NSW Health Guidelines;
• Have a clear explanation of your condition, possible treatments and the risks involved, in a way that you understand;
• Be informed of any costs of services;
• Obtain a second opinion;
• Receive instructions to properly care for yourself after discharge.

Consent

You have the right to:

• Choose whether or not to have treatment and to withdraw consent to treatment at any time. [There may be some differences for people receiving care under the Mental Health Act or Guardianship Act];
• Decline experimental or research treatment;
• Leave a health facility at any time against professional advice. If a person leaves without hospital consent, they
  are liable for any injury or illness caused or aggravated by doing so;
• Refuse care from a particular health care practitioner or facility [however a Hospital or Health Service may not be able to provide an appropriate alternative].

If a person is under 14 years of age, a parent must give consent for medical treatment

Patient Rights & Responsibilities Brochure