Patient rights

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes what you, or someone you care for, can expect when receiving health care from SMHS and its hospitals.

The following rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia.

Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights

Access

You have the right to healthcare services and treatment that meets your needs.

Safety

You have the right to:

• receive safe and high quality health care that meets national standards
• be cared for in an environment that is safe and makes you feel safe.

Respect

You have the right to:

• be treated as an individual, and with dignity and respect
• have your culture, identity, beliefs and choices recognised and respected.

Partnership

You have the right to:

• ask questions and be involved in open and honest communication
• make decisions with your healthcare provider, to the extent that you choose and are able to
• include the people that you want in planning and decision-making.

Information

You have the right to:

• clear information about your condition, the possible benefits and risks of different tests and treatments, so I can give your informed consent
• receive information about services, waiting times and costs
• be given assistance, when you need it, to help you to understand and use health information
• access your health information
• be told if something has gone wrong during your health care, how it happened, how it may affect you and what is being done to make care safe.

Privacy

You have the right to:

• have your personal privacy respected
• have information about you and your health kept secure and confidential.

Give feedback

You have the right to:

• provide feedback or make a complaint without it affecting the way that you are treated
• have your concerns addressed in a transparent and timely way
• share your experience and participate to improve the quality of care and health services.

More information

Read more about your rights (external site)

Read translations of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (external site)