Do you know your healthcare rights? We have adopted the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights which describes the rights of patients and other people using the Australian health system.

These rights are essential to make sure that, wherever and whenever care is provided, it is of high quality and is safe. The Charter recognises that people receiving care and people providing care all have important parts to play in achieving healthcare rights.

The Charter allows patients, consumers, families, carers and services providing health care to share an understanding of the rights of people receiving health care. This helps everyone to work together towards a safe and high quality health system. A genuine partnership between patients, consumers and providers is important so that everyone achieves the best possible outcomes.

Your Rights
 
We are committed to upholding your rights which include a right to:
  • Access:  health care. 
  • Safety:  receive safe and high quality care.
  • Respect: be shown respect, dignity and consideration.
  • Communication:  be informed about services, treatment, options and costs in a clear and open way.
  • Participation:  be included in decisions and choices about my care.
  • Privacy:  privacy and confidentiality of my personal information.
  • Comment: comment on my care and to have my concerns addressed.

Click here for more information or visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare website for more information.

Your Responsibilities
 
To help us provide the best possible care we we require from you: 
  • Relevant and accurate information about your health and other circumstances that may influence your health care. 
  • Cooperation, courtesy and respect for other health service users and staff.

Listen to the Australian Charter of Healthcare rights

AUSTRALIAN CHARTER OF HEALTHCARE RIGHTS

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes the rights of patients and other people using the Australian health system. These rights are essential to make sure that, wherever and whenever care is provided, it is of high quality and is safe.

The Charter recognises that people receiving care and people providing care all have important parts to play in achieving healthcare rights. The Charter allows patients, consumers, families, carers and services providing health care to share an understanding of the rights of people receiving health care. This helps everyone to work together towards a safe and high quality health system. A genuine partnership between patients, consumers and providers is important so that everyone achieves the best possible outcomes. 

Guiding Principles

These three principles describe how this Charter applies in the Australian health system.

1.  Everyone has the right to be able to access health care and this right is essential for the Charter to be meaningful.

2. The Australian Government commits to international agreements about human rights which recognise everyone’s right to have the highest possible standard of        physical and mental health.

3. Australia is a society made up of people with different cultures and ways of life, and the Charter acknowledges and respects these differences.   

Health care rights for children