We believe that all our patients have a right to be treated politely, without discrimination and in confidence. In return we expect patients to treat our staff courteously. Verbal abuse will not be tolerated. The police will be called to assist in the event of displays of violent behaviour, the patient will be removed from the practice list, and the Primary Care Trust notified.
Users of the National Health Service have rights. The following explains what they are. They fall into three main categories.
Legislated Rights
Rights that have been written into law by means of Parliamentary Acts or Bills. (For example, UK GDPR and DPA 2018). As a patient of the NHS you have 7 rights.
- You are entitled to receive health care on the basis of clinical need, regardless of your income.
- You are entitled to be registered with a Medical practice. You are entitled to change your practice at any time. You do not have to give a reason for your decision.
- You are legally entitled to accept or refuse treatment as you see fit. This includes examinations, tests, diagnostic procedures, medication, operations, etc.
- You can refuse to be involved in research trials. If you do not agree to be involved in research trials, you can withdraw at any time.
- You are entitled to equal treatment regardless of race, gender, age or disability.
- You have a right to information on GP practices in your area and the services they provide. All practices must provide an information leaflet.
- You have a right to confidentiality. Personal information about your health is confidential and should only be disclosed to those who need that information to provide you with effective treatment, you can consent to share with other individuals outside of the NHS
Access to your Health Records.
You have a legal entitlement to see a copy of the records held about you. All records stored on computer can be accessed. If you wish to see your records you should apply in to the practice for a Subject Access Request.
Guideline Rights
- You are entitled to have reasonable access to high quality service and facilities.
- You are entitled to information on what is wrong with you and the treatment options available. Ask questions. You should be given truthful, clear answers.
- You are entitled to ask for a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment.
- You can ask to have someone with you (friend, relative, interpreter) at any time. You may find this beneficial, particularly if you are asking questions or need moral support.
Human Rights
It is your right to be treated as a human being by another human being and as they would wish to be treated themselves, i.e. with dignity, politeness, respect and consideration. These may not necessarily be covered legally or even be contained in guidelines, but human rights will come into many of the areas mentioned above and are certainly just as important.
Consent
A doctor, nurse, or anyone else looking after your health, has to have your agreement before they can examine or treat you. This policy applies to both children and adults. Your consent will be sought before any of your information is shared with any individual not connected with your direct health care.
Patient Responsibilities
Patients, too, have certain responsibilities:
- Keeping appointments: Please try to arrive on time. If you are unable to attend an appointment, please inform the clinic or surgery in good time. Address. If you move house, change address or telephone number, or the postcode is changed, please inform your GP practice or outpatient clinic.
- Treat all healthcare staff in a reasonable, courteous manner.
- Use emergency services in a responsible manner. Please use the out-of-hours services for emergencies only and not for routine care.
- Take care with medicines. Medicines are for one person only and should not be shared. Keep them safely away from children and in the original container. Take any unwanted medicines to a chemist for safe disposal.
