Patient’s rights and responsibilities
As a patient you can expect
- To be treated with courtesy and with respect for your privacy and dignity
- To receive treatment on the basis of your clinical need.
- To be able to choose to have a friend or relative with you during consultations and examinations.
- Staff to understand that you might be feeling anxious and vulnerable and that this may affect the way you behave.
- To be informed on arrival at the practice if there is likely to be a delay in your appointment time and to receive an explanation why.
- To take part in all decisions about your treatment and to have the pros and cons of treatment, including any risks, side effects and alternative methods of treatment fully explained to you.
- To be encouraged to ask questions about your diagnosis and treatment and to receive clear information in writing.
- To be given a telephone number and the name of someone you can ring with any further queries.
- To have details about you, including your medical records and anything you say, treated in confidence and, expect where required from law, to be given an opportunity to decide whether your details can be passed on to anyone else.
- To be given access to information kept about you.
- To know the names and professional status of all the staff involved in your care.
- To be told what aftercare, including rehabilitation, you may need, how long this should last and the anticipated outcome.
- To receive an explanation and, where appropriate, an apology if things go wrong.
- To be able to complain if you are unhappy with the treatment you receive and to be given the name of someone who can help you with this if you wish.
- To choose whether you see medical and/or other healthcare students or not, or take part in any trials, surveys etc.
- To be able to request a second opinion.
As a patient you have a responsibility…
- To treat staff who care for you with courtesy and respect at all times
- To inform the surgery at once of any change in contact address or telephone number.
- To attend appointments on time, or give reasonable notice of inability to attend.
- To understand that there are pressures and limitations of recourses on the National Health Service and those working within it.
- To consider the consequences of refusing treatment or not following medical advice and accept responsibility for your own actions.
- To let staff know if you have any allergies or sensitivities to medications.
- To give staff full information about your condition including permanent disabilities, along with the details of any medicines you are taking.
- To tell staff if you are uncertain or don’t understand any aspect of your treatment.
- To tell staff about any change in your health that could affect the treatment you are having.
- To take any medicines as instructed and seek medical advice before stopping or changing treatment.
- To treat other patients with courtesy and respect.
- To attend follow up appointments as directed by Doctor or Nurse.