Everyone has the right to be treated with respect when seeking healthcare.

• Your opinions should be valued.
• This means that you are listened to, your opinion is valued, and whatever your capacity or ability is, that you will be involved in making decisions about your health, your body, and any planned treatment.
• Your doctors should speak to you not just your support person.
• If your doctor isn’t speaking to you, ask them to. If you don’t understand something, ask them to repeat it to you or explain it differently.
• It is fine to ask as many questions about your health as you need.

You have the right to understand and consent to your treatment.

• You also have the right to be provided with information about your health in a way that you understand, so that you can consent (or not) to any proposed treatment.
• If you need extra time to make a decision, it is your right to ask for more time.
• Giving your consent means that you have had the benefits, any risks, and any other choices explained to you in a way that you can understand before you agree (or not).
• For some people, they may have a family member or carer help them make decisions and give consent to planned treatment.

You have the right to keep your personal health information private, safe and confidential.

• That means a healthcare professional cannot share information about your health with anyone else (in person, over the phone, or in writing) unless you agree first.
• They must also store your health information in a secure way so no one can access it without your permission.
• Sometimes, though, a healthcare professional might need to break confidentiality. This can happen if they believe you, or someone else, is at risk of harm. In these cases, they may have to share information to keep you or others safe.
• You also have the right to have a copy of your medical history, a list of your medications, and any other relevant information about your health to help you make decisions about your current and future healthcare needs.
• You can ask your healthcare provider for a written copy of your health record.

Health care professionals in Australia must follow a set of rules that describes a patient’s rights

If you would like to give your healthcare provider feedback about your experience (good or bad), or think that the healthcare professional, or someone else working at the healthcare service has not followed your rights (make a complaint), you can

• Speak or write to them (or ask someone to speak or write to them on your behalf) expressing your concerns.
• Provide a complaint online to the health professional registration body. (AHPRA Complaints Online)
• Nothing will happen to you if you make a complaint.