Table of Contents
Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient
At our hospital, we believe every patient should be informed of their rights and responsibilities. Understanding these ensures a safe, respectful, and supportive healthcare experience.
Your Rights as a Patient
As a patient, you have the right to:
Respect & Care
- Be treated with courtesy and have your cultural, ethnic, and religious beliefs respected.
- Receive safe and appropriate care tailored to your needs.
- Be involved in your care planning from admission to discharge.
- Know the name of the doctor responsible for your care.
- Be informed of the roles of all healthcare providers involved in your treatment.
- Receive clear, non-technical explanations about your condition and treatment options.
- Understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives before consenting to treatment.
- Seek a second medical opinion if desired.
- Refuse treatment unless legally restricted and leave the hospital against medical advice after completing necessary discharge forms.
- Have your medical records and personal details kept confidential within the limits of the law.
- Have privacy during visits within established visiting hours.
- Be informed of estimated treatment costs before admission.
- Understand any out-of-pocket expenses and potential health fund gap payments.
- Know your discharge plans, follow-up care details, and the responsible doctor’s name.
- Receive assistance from hospital staff in planning appropriate post-hospital care.
- Make a complaint about any aspect of your hospital experience and have it addressed promptly without it affecting your treatment.
- Discuss concerns with hospital staff, the Nurse Unit Manager, or the Director of Clinical Services.
- Contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman for Private Health Insurance if needed.
For more details, refer to the Top Tips for Safe Health Care booklet from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Your Responsibilities as a Patient
To help us provide you with the best care, you have a responsibility to:
Respect & Cooperation
- Treat hospital staff, fellow patients, and visitors with dignity and respect.
- Cooperate with hospital staff regarding your treatment and admission plans.
Providing Accurate Information
- Give truthful and complete details about your health, medical history, and medications.
- Inform the hospital if you have an Advanced Health Directive, Power of Attorney, or Enduring Guardianship.
- Notify the hospital if you need to cancel or reschedule your admission.
Following Medical Advice
- Inform staff or your doctor if you have concerns or do not understand any aspect of your care.
- Follow the recommended treatment plan, including medical instructions from doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.
- Accept the consequences of declining or not following treatment.
Financial Responsibilities
- Finalise all accounts related to your hospitalisation.
- Provide details about your ability to pay for services.
Providing Feedback
- Report unexpected changes in your condition to your doctor.
- Raise concerns with staff so they can be addressed appropriately.
Further Information
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights explains your rights as a private patient in a public or private hospital. It covers:
- Your expectations from doctors and hospital staff.
- What your private health insurer should provide.
- How to address concerns about your care or private health insurance.