A new charter detailing patients’ rights and responsibilities has been published by the Scottish Government.
The charter sets out what patients are entitled to when they use NHS services in Scotland – and what they can do if they believe those rights have not been respected.
It also gives guidance on what is expected of patients. Some responsibilities are set out in law and others lay down what patients should do to help the NHS work effectively and efficiently.
The document is founded on the principle of mutual respect – so that everyone who uses and provides NHS services has a right to be treated as an individual, with consideration, dignity and respect.
The charter is for everyone in Scotland who accesses and uses NHS services, including patients, carers, family members and NHS staff.
The information in the charter is divided into:
• Accessing and using NHS services in Scotland: your rights when using NHS health services
• Communication and involving you: your rights to be informed about your healthcare and services and to be involved in decisions about them
• Privacy and confidentiality: your rights to privacy and to have your personal health information protected
• Feedback, complaints and my rights: your rights to have a say about your treatment or care and to have any concerns and complaints dealt with.
The new Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities revises and updates the original charter, which was published after the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2011.
The act gives everyone the right to receive healthcare which:
• considers their needs
• considers what would most benefit their health and wellbeing
• encourages them to take part in decisions about their health and wellbeing and gives them the information and support to do so
• gives patients a right to give feedback and make comments and raise concerns or complaints about the care they have received.
The full charter is available below.
