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UnitingCare Health recognises and acknowledges that all patients have important rights and responsibilities.

The RIGHTS of every patient include:

• ACCESS TO CARE – UnitingCare Health is a private not for profit organisation owned and operated by the Uniting Church.  Any surplus funds are reinvested back into the development of health care services for the benefit of the community.
  
  All patients have the right to access treatment and/or care available and medically indicated regardless of race, creed, sex or national origins.
   
• ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION – All patients will be provided with access to their health records/personal information on request.  All information is disclosed in keeping with the Privacy Act 1988 (as amended), subject to certain restrictions.  Access can be arranged by making a request to the Privacy Officer.  The hospital will take reasonable steps to correct information if it is shown to be inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.  Further information regarding the use of, access and amendment to personal information held by the hospital can be provided by contacting the hospital’s Privacy Officer, through the hospital’s main switchboard.
  
• ACCOUNT INFORMATION – All patients have the right to request and obtain from the hospital complete and current information concerning accounting requirements, procedures and practices.
  
• COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS – All patients have the right to provide feedback or initiate complaints and receive a response in regard to any aspect of their treatment and care.  Feedback is welcome through completion of the “Patient Satisfaction Survey” or department manager.
  
• COMMUNICATION – All patients have the right to choose the level and type of communication with any member of their family and the general community.
  
• CONSENT – All patients have the right to informed consent that is sought and obtained by their doctor before any treatment is commenced.  All patients have the right to withdraw their consent for treatment at any time.  It may be a requirement to confirm and/or withdraw this consent in writing.
  
• FINANCIAL CONSENT – All patients have the right to be informed of any out-of-pocket expenses prior to their admission.
  
• IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL – All patients have the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing services and care; as well as the choice of doctor primarily responsible for directing their care.
  
• MEDICAL INFORMATION – All patients have the right to obtain complete and current information concerning diagnosis, treatment and any known prognosis from the doctor coordinating their care, and the information should be communicated in terms that can be reasonably understood.
  
• PERSONAL SAFETY – All patients have the right to expect reasonable levels of personal safety, as is practicable in the environment and in accordance with hospital policy.
  
• PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY – All patients have the right to privacy as required by legislation.  This includes the right to:
  1. Be interviewed and examined in surroundings designed to assure reasonable visual and auditory privacy.
  2. Expect that any discussion or consultation involving their care and treatment will be conducted discreetly and that individuals not directly involved in their care will not be present without their permission.
  3. Have their Medical Record read only by individuals directly involved in their treatment or in the monitoring of treatment quality.
  4. Expect all communications and other records pertaining to their care be treated as confidential.
  
• REFUSAL OF TREATMENT – All patients have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by legislation.
  
• RESPECT AND DIGNITY – All patients have the right to be treated in a manner that is considerate and respectful under all circumstances, acknowledging personal dignity and values.
  
• SECOND OPINION – All patients have the right to seek a second opinion.  It is the patient’s responsibility to request another opinion through the Nurse Unit Manager or treating medical practitioner.
  
• CARE PLANNING, DELIVERY AND DISCHARGE – Family and/or carers are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their loved one’s hospital stay.

The RESPONSIBILITIES of every patient include:

• COMPLIANCE WITH TREATMENT – All patients have a responsibility to participate and comply with their treatment and care as planned with their doctor and other members of the clinical team.
  
• FINANCIAL LIABILITY – All patients have a responsibility to be, or to become, fully aware of the costs they incur during their admission and treatment and the subsequent payment of outstanding expenses on or prior to discharge (unless other arrangements have been made with the hospital).  Such expenses could include personal items from the pharmacy, STD and mobile telephone calls, co-payments or excesses related to the level of health insurance.
  
• PROVISION OF INFORMATION – All patients have the responsibility to provide, to the best of their knowledge, accurate and complete information about their presenting problem/s, past illnesses, previous hospitalisations, medications and other matters relating to their health and treatment.  All patients are responsible for reporting unexpected changes in their condition to their doctor or nursing and allied health staff.  All patients have the responsibility to seek information from their doctor and the clinical team sufficient for them, and their family and/or carer where appropriate, to have a clear understanding of their proposed treatment, care and actions.
  
• REFUSAL OF TREATMENT – All patients have the responsibility of accepting the consequences of their own actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow their doctor’s requirements or recommendations.
  
• RESPECT AND CONSIDERATION – All patients have the responsibility for being considerate and respectful of the rights of other patients, all hospital personnel and visitors.  All patients have the responsibility of treating all hospital property with respect and care.
  
• SAFETY – All patients have the responsibility of ensuring, as far as possible, their own and others’ safety both inside and outside of the hospital.
   
• ABSENCES FROM HOSPITAL/WARD – All patients have a responsibility to notify a nurse before leaving and on return to the ward.
  Patients are responsible for their own care, health and safety from the time of departure from the hospital.
  
  Mental health patients should refer to the Unit orientation booklet or doctor’s instructions for additional responsibilities in relation to short and extended leave.
  
• ALCOHOL AND PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES – All patients have responsibility not  to possess or consume non- prescribed medications or illicit drugs whilst a patient in the hospital.  The consumption of alcohol in moderation is acceptable only if ordered by the doctor as part of the treatment plan.
  
• CARE OF VALUABLES – Patients are responsible for the care of their own personal items and valuables.  Where possible valuables should be left or sent home and should not be unsecured in patient’s rooms.  Any valuables that patients need to keep with them in hospital should be kept in a secure place in the patient’s room or deposited at Reception for securing in the hospital safe and entered in the valuables book.  The hospital reserves the right to decline to accept valuables for safekeeping.  Any valuables deposited are retained at the risk of patients.
  
• VEHICLES – The hospital cannot assure on-site parking for patients’ vehicles.  If driving to the hospital, patients do so at their own risk and agree that cars are parked at their own risk without any responsibility on the part of the hospital for loss or damage to vehicles or persons.
  
• MEDICATION – Patients have the responsibility of delivering all medication to the nurse station.  Medication should not be kept in patients’ rooms unless prescribed by the treating doctor.