Rights & Responsibilities

As a patient of our hospital you have the right to be informed and make decisions about your own health care. Some of these rights are protected by law whilst others are recognised as basic human rights. At Calvary Mater Newcastle, we recognise your rights and responsibilities as patients using our health care services and we require that our employees and volunteers are aware and committed to the importance of these rights.

For more information, please download the following brochure:

Your Health Rights and Responsibilities (PDF ~ 6.2MB)

You have the Right to:

• Access appropriate, safe, effective and efficient health care. 
• Participate in all decisions regarding your health care and provide consent prior to any treatment. 
• A clear, concise explanation in terms you can understand of your conditions, illness or disease and treatment. This information should include: 
  •  proposed procedures, including tests and examinations. 
  • expected outcome and risks, including possible side/after effects or adverse outcomes.
  • cost and availability of service.
  • waiting time for procedure.
  • whether the procedure is experimental or will be used in research.
• Seek referral to a trained interpreter. This service is free and confidential. 
• Seek alternative health care or a second opinion. 
• Know the identity, professional status and qualifications of the health care worker involved in your care. 
•  Be treated with respect and dignity whilst receiving health care. 
•  Be free from mental and physical abuse. 
•  Access your health records in the presence of a nominated health care professional. 
•  Receive adequate education and instruction from the health care professional in your home or health care facility, in order to achieve a high level of independence. 
•  Refuse treatment and withdraw consent at any time, except in cases of some infectious diseases or if you are a person receiving treatment under the NSW Mental Health Act. 
•  Nominate a family member, friend, advocate or representative to participate in the decisions regarding your health care. This allows parents to exercise these rights on behalf of their children or wards and guardianship. 
•  A parent or guardian may stay with a child at all times except where separation is necessary for medical reasons. 
•  Refuse services by students, or treatment of an experimental nature. 
•  Comment on, or complain about health care services without fear of bias or repercussion. 
•  Considerate and respectful health care, given without bias or discrimination regardless of age, socio-economic status, sex, race, national origin, religion, political belief, medical conditions, sexual orientation, disability or ability to pay. 
•  Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patients and families can have access to the Aboriginal Liaison Officer. 
•  Have information regarding who will have access to your health record and the use of this information. 
•  A prompt response in emergencies. 
•  Ensure details of your condition are kept confidential except if the law requires this information be provided to some other person or authority. 
•  Contact any person including a relative to discuss a problem with anyone of your choice. 
•  Refuse to see any visitors by informing the unit or care manager. 
•  Provide opinions and suggestions to us which can assist in improving the services. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our services you have a right to draw this to our attention and discuss any matters with us. Please direct any complaints or concerns, in the first instance, to the nurse or doctor caring for you.

Your Responsibilities:

• Provide frank and honest information that enables the health care worker to provide adequate advice and care.
• Provide full and accurate information about your own and your family’s medical history, including all medications being taken. 
•  Treat seriously any agreement or action plan negotiated with the health care professional. If you decide not to comply, inform the health care worker and accept responsibility for making this decision. 
•  Keep appointments or inform those concerned of an inability to attend. 
• The hospital discourages patients and their cares bringing food to the hospital due to our strict food handling regulations, therefore we ask that you do not bring any food/meals to the patients during their stay at the hospital. 
•  Recognise that choices concerning lifestyle will affect health. 
•  Give respect and consideration to health care professionals/carers/other patients. 
•  Where parents are exercising rights on behalf of children, they equally have a responsibility to provide appropriate care and nurturing of their children. 
•  Be well informed about your treatment by asking questions and consulting relevant people in order to understand and avoid unnecessary worry. 
• Inform the health professional of concurrent treatment being received from another health professional for the same conditions, advise treatment for same conditions, advise alternative therapies, especially other medicines.

Providing a healthy and safe environment for you:

• Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (2000) we have a responsibility to ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff and patients. Therefore, it is the responsibility of both parties to ensure that:
  • The work environment is safe and free of any risks (including smoke).
  • Appropriate equipment and techniques are used for lifting, mobility and personal care.
  • The work environment allows for safe work practices to be performed.