The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights describes the rights of patients, consumers and other people using the Australian healthcare 
system. These rights are essential to make sure that, wherever and whenever health care is provided, it is of high quality and is safe.
Healthcare rights are the rights of patients, consumers and other people using healthcare services. The Charter recognises that people receiving care and people providing care all have important parts to play in achieving healthcare rights. The Charter allows patients, consumers, families, carers and services providing health care to share an understanding of the rights of people receiving health care. This helps everyone to work together towards a safe and high quality health system. A genuine partnership between patients, consumers and providers is important so that everyone achieves the best possible outcomes.
Guiding principles
These principles describe how this Charter applies in the Australian health system.
- Everyone has the right to be able to access health care and this right is essential for the Charter to be meaningful.
- The Australian government commits to international agreements about human rights that recognise everyone's right to have the highest possible standard of physical and mental health.
- Australia is a society made up of people with different cultures and ways of life, and the Charter acknowledges and respects these differences.
What you should expect?
| My rights | What this means |
|---|---|
|
Access I have a right to health care |
I can access services to address my healthcare needs. |
|
Safety I have a right to receive safe and high quality care. |
I receive safe and high quality health services, provided with professional care, skill and competence. |
|
Respect
I have a right to be shown respect, dignity and consideration. |
The care provided shows respect to me and my culture, beliefs, values and personal characteristics. |
|
Communication
I have a right to be informed about services, treatment, options and costs in a clear and open way. |
I receive open, timely and appropriate communication about my health care in a way I can understand. |
|
Participation I have a right to be included in decisions and choices about my care. |
I may join in making decisions and choices about my care and about health service planning. |
|
Privacy
I have a right to privacy and confidentiality of my personal information. |
My personal privacy is maintained and proper handling of my personal health and other information is assured. |
|
Comment I have a right to comment on my care and to have my concerns addressed. |
I can comment on or complain about my care and have my concerns dealt with properly and promptly. |
Information and translations in your language
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights in Victoria brochure is available as an audio file, in Braille or in English and 25 community languages
If you are a patient in one of our hospitals - Sunshine Hospital, Western Hospital and The Williamstown Hospital, or our nursing homes - Reg Geary House and Hazeldean Nursing Home and you experience any problems during your stay, please inform the staff in the ward immediately.
You can contact your patient representative by telephone or by a written letter (see details below). Alternatively, you can make an appointment to personally discuss your concerns.
Western Hospital Patient Representative
Western Hospital, Gordon Street, Footscray
Telephone: (03) 8345 6811 Fax: (03) 9317 7815
Sunshine Hospital Patient Representative
Sunshine Hospital, 176 Furlong Road, St Albans, 3021
Telephone: (03) 8345 1502 Fax: (03) 8345 0284
The Williamstown Hospital
Hazeldean Nursing Home
Reg Geary House
C/O Western Hospital Patient Representative
Telephone: (03) 8345 6811 Fax: (03) 9317 7815