Rights & Responsibilities

We believe everyone seeking or receiving care at our Hospital has certain rights regarding the nature of their care. 

We subscribe to the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights which relate to access, safety, respect, communication, participation, privacy and comment.

Patient Rights

You have the right to:

• Hospitality.
• Respect, compassion, consideration and dignity.
• Courteous assistance without discrimination on the basis of age, social status, sex, race, religion or political belief.
• Privacy, which will be maintained and protected within the constraints of the individual treatment plan as long as this does not place you or someone else at risk.
• Participate in all decisions regarding your healthcare and to give your consent to any treatment.
• Withdraw your consent and refuse treatment at any time.
• Receive treatment by appropriately qualified health personnel.
• Choose your own doctor.
• Know the identity, professional status and qualifications of the caregivers assigned to your care.
• A clear and concise explanation in terms that you understand about all proposed procedures and possible alternatives.
• Know the nature of the decisions, management or treatment available including any risks and side effects.
• Request a second opinion.
• Have access to your records, subject to the agreement of your doctor and in compliance with legislative requirements.
• Pastoral Services.
• Access to an interpreter - which may be a cost to you.
• Receive visitors within the specified visiting hours. To also refuse visitors.
• Information about the facilities available at this hospital.
• Information about all possible costs associated with your hospitalisation.
• A safe environment where all safety requirements are enforced, according to the hospital's safety standards.
• Give your opinion about the quality of health care that you have received, through a patient questionnaire or letter.
• To know the hospital policies and regulations that apply to your conduct.

Patient Responsibilities

You have responsibilities:

• As well as having rights as a patient of this hospital, you have the responsibility to:
• Participate in your individual program components, as agreed upon with your consultant and care coordinator.
• Know about your medications. You may approach nursing or pharmacy caregivers or your consultant psychiatrist for necessary information.
• Inform staff when you need assistance to deal with thoughts, feelings or emotions rather than let discomfort build over time.
• Accept the consequences of your own informed decisions.
• Provide, to the best of your knowledge, accurate and complete information about your present condition, past illnesses, hospitalisations and other necessary information relating to your health.
• Be aware of and abide by hospital requirements as outlined in the patient information brochure and your treatment agreement.
• Consider the rights and well being of other patients and staff.
• Respect the personal boundaries of others, for example, not visiting others' rooms, not discussing personal issues or treatments, maintaining others' confidentiality.
• Work in partnership with caregivers to keep yourself and all others safe from harm.