For the public
Patient Rights Charter
What you can expect from a registered health professional and a licensed health facility.
The full Patient Rights Charter has not yet been published. Each right below rests on a provision that already exists in the NHPC Act Lr.31 or the Code of Conduct. This page will be updated when the Council publishes the Charter.
Your rights
- 1
To be protected from harm caused by malpractice
Protecting the community from harm arising from medical malpractice is the Council’s first stated objective (Art. 1(2)(a)).
- 2
To be treated with dignity, respect and compassion
Registered professionals must treat you with respect and compassion, and respect your culture, religion, gender, age and needs (Code of Conduct, Principle 2).
- 3
To give informed consent before treatment
Valid, current consent must be obtained before treatment or care begins, and you may refuse care (Code of Conduct, Principle 2).
- 4
To have your information kept confidential
Your records must be protected. Disseminating patient records without reason is an offence (Art. 40(10)).
- 5
To be treated only by someone qualified and registered
Practising without registration, or beyond your permitted scope of practice, is an offence (Art. 39, 40(8)). You can check anyone’s registration before you are treated.
- 6
To complain, and to be heard
The Health Professional Disciplinary Committee deals with allegations of misconduct (Art. 17(1)(b)). If you are dissatisfied with a decision, you may appeal to the Court within 30 days (Art. 69).
Have your rights been breached? File a complaint with us — it is free.