Rights & Responsibilities

Residents' rights are guaranteed in law under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights.

Residents' 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 what or take advantage of you in any way.
• Dignity and independence - you should be supported to live a dignified, independent life.
• proper standards - you have the right to be listened to, understood and to 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 is 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 service. It must be easy for you to make a complaint and it should not have an adverse effect on the way you are treated. (See information at the end of this page on how to make a complaint.)

Residents' responsibilities

• Inform staff of any known changes in health status and provide information about current health, medication and treatment etc, to the appropriate health professionals.
• Ask for clarification of anything not understood.
• Show consideration for other residents with regard to noise levels etc.
• Respect other residents' privacy, confidentiality and religious or cultural practices.
• Inform hospital management of any complaints and /or recommendations.
• Make payment of all financial charges incurred.

Complaints

Complaints should initially be made to the Charge Nurse for nursing matters or the Facility Support Manager for household matters. In the Community Homes, complaints should be made to the Manager.

The Chief Executive Officer may be contacted on matters of concern. Any person who considers that their complaint has not been resolved by the above avenues may write to the St John of God Hauora Trust Board. All complaints will be dealt with promptly, fairly and confidentially.