What are my rights as a patient?
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 is also available in multiple languages, easy English, Auslan video and Braille.
What can I expect from the Australian health system?
Access
- Healthcare services and treatment that meets my needs
Safety
- Receive safe and high quality health care that meets national standards
- Be cared for in an environment that is safe and makes me feel safe
Respect
- Be treated as an individual, and with dignity and respect
- Have my culture, identity, beliefs and choices recognised and respected
Partnership
- Ask questions and be involved in open and honest communication
- Make decisions with my healthcare provider, to the extent that I choose and am able to
- Include the people that I want in planning and decision-making
Information
- Clear information about my condition, the possible benefits and risks of different tests and treatments, so I can give my informed consent
- Receive information about services, waiting times and costs
- Be given assistance, when I need it, to help me to understand and use health information
- Access my health information
- Be told if something has gone wrong during my health care, how it happened, how it may affect me and what is being done to make care safe
Privacy
- Have my personal privacy respected
- Have information about me and my health kept secure and confidential
Give feedback
- Provide feedback or make a complaint without it affecting the way that I am treated
- Have my concerns addressed in a transparent and timely way
- Share my experience and participate to improve the quality of care and health services
Aboriginal Cultural Rights
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Australians and uphold your culture, history, diversity and deep connection to the land. We recognise the harm caused by race discrimination and vilification. It is against the law to treat you unfairly or bully you because you are Aboriginal. In Victoria, Aboriginal people also have special cultural rights under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
To access the Aboriginal Cultural Rights click here
Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
Human rights are basic entitlements that belong to every one of us, regardless of our background, where we live, what we look like, what we think or what we believe. Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities contains 20 basic rights that promote and protect the values of freedom, respect, equality and dignity.
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities can be found here.
Charter of Aged Care Rights
The Charter of Aged Care Rights describes your rights as a consumer of Australian Government funded aged care services. The charter can be found by clicking here
How does Colac Area Health protect my privacy?
Colac Area Health is required by law to handle your personal and health information in accordance with The Health Records Act 2001 (VIC), as well as other relevant legislation relating to confidentiality and privacy.
For how Colac Area Health uses your personal information click here.
Advocacy
Colac Area Health is committed to ensuring our consumers have a legal and ethical right to advocacy in all aspects relating to the provision of health services. We respect the rights of all consumers to appoint an advocate of their choice or to use a professional advocacy service. Consumers will be advised of their right to advocacy and assisted to access professional services as necessary.
Please click here to download a brochure.
Feedback
To provide feedback about your healthcare experience at Colac Area Health, please contact Quality Liaison Officer. Email [email protected] or phone (03) 5232 5100 or register your experience here.
