As a consumer of the health care services provided at Western Hospital, you have specific rights and responsibilities regarding your care and treatment.

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The following information is provided to help you understand what you can reasonably expect from the hospital and staff as well as advise you of your rights and responsibilities as a patient.

 

Patients Rights While in Hospital

 

As a consumer of healthcare services at Western Hospital you have specific rights and responsibilities regarding your care and treatment. Western Hospitals Rights and Responsibilities policies recognise that people receiving care and people providing care all have important parts to play in achieving healthcare rights. These rights and responsibilities are essential to make sure that care provided is of a high quality and is safe.

 

You have the right to:

• Have access to the best and most appropriate care available for your needs

• Be shown respect, dignity and consideration

• Be informed of all aspects of services, options, treatments, and costs in an open and clear way

• Be included in decisions and choices about your care

• Privacy and confidentiality of your personal information

• Ask the identity, professional status and qualifications of any healthcare worker providing care and services

• Express your concerns or provide feedback by making suggestions and complaints and you have the right to have these addressed

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Patients Responsibilities While in Hospital

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• Answer questions about your health openly and completely

• Comply with prescribed treatments, seeking clarification if you are unsure and to inform staff/and your doctor if you have concerns about your condition

• Discuss with your health care professionals if you wish to refuse treatment

• Respect the dignity and rights of other patients, visitors and hospital staff

• Contact the hospital should you wish to postpone or cancel your admission or if you are unable to arrive at the scheduled time

• Respect hospital property, policies and regulations

• Finalise your accounts pertaining to your hospitalisation

• Direct any complaint to a staff member so that appropriate steps can be taken to address your concerns

 

Rights of a Child

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• The physical, psychological, social and emotional needs of children are met by the provision of Paediatric Care.

• A child has the right to information about their treatment in a language they understand. They have the right to participate in decision-making regarding their treatment unless age or condition places that responsibility on a parent/guardian.

• The child's parent or guardian is responsible for following the medical/nursing directions given to them for their treatment. If you are unsure about anything, ask for clarification and report any changes in your condition.

• The child has the right to be treated as an individual with unique needs according to their stage of development.

• A child has the right to a caring, comfortable atmosphere conducive to rest. They have the right to express their feelings through play and conversation and are entitled to privacy and confidentiality.

• Above all else the fundamental right of children is to maintain a close and continuous relationship with the parental figure in their life.

 

The above statements support the Private Patient Hospital Charter January 1996. Should you require further information please ask your nurse for a brochure.

 

References:

• SA Health Commission Act 1976

• The Freedom of Information Act 1991

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