Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Your rights as a patient

While receiving healthcare, you have the following rights:

• Equal access to healthcare

  The right to receive healthcare without distinction as to race, language, religion, denomination, sex, age, disability, social or economic status, or difference of opinion.

• The right to be informed

  The right to receive comprehensible information about your state of health, your diagnosis, the investigations and treatments proposed, the possible risks, the alternative treatment options and the consequences of refusing treatment.

• The right to choose the healthcare establishment and the doctor

  The right to choose or change your healthcare establishment and doctor, in line with the legislation and the resources available at the institution.

• The right to privacy

  The right to require that your personal privacy be protected during examination, investigation, treatment and care.

• Confidentiality of personal health information

  The right to require that the confidentiality of your health information be protected and that it be shared only within the scope of legal authority.

• The right to consent

  The right to give informed consent before medical procedures, or to refuse treatment within the limits of the law.

• The right to safe healthcare

  The right to receive healthcare in a safe environment in which patient safety practices are applied.

• The right to respect and dignity

  The right to be served courteously, respectfully and with a friendly manner by all members of staff.

• The right to a companion and to visitors

  The right to have a companion present and to receive visitors, in accordance with medical suitability and the rules of the institution.

• The right to complain and to give views and suggestions

  The right to submit your views, suggestions, thanks and complaints about the services, and to require that your application be assessed and that you be informed of the outcome.