Eastern Health

be treated without discrimination of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, religion
treatment with dignity, respect and consideration for privacy
be treated in an environment free from harrassment
treatment based on clinical need regardless of the ability to pay, or health insurance status
access a wide range of hospital and other health care services relevant to their clinical condition, and classification status, eg public, private, DVA
elect to have treatment as either a public or private patient
receive treatment and care in a safe environment
receive all information, and participate in decisions necessary for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the treatment and care being considered and offered
participate in decisions and receive all relevant information regarding discharge from hospital and other health care services in Eastern Health
information about which staff will be providing the care, who will be responsible for the care, and how to contact key staff
specific information about the care to be provided, and if requested, a second opinion
be informed of all hospital costs associated with private health care
access to medical/health records, and confidentiality for personal information collected as part of the health care process
access to an accredited interpreter where required
services provided in a culturally sensitive manner
information regarding the steps the Hospital and other relevant health service providers in Eastern Health take to improve the quality of care provided
an opportunity to discuss any questions, concerns or complaints concerning the health care and services provided by Eastern Health
make a complaint to an independent accredited/approved complaints organisation.

All patients/clients/residents have a responsibility to:

provide all relevant information necessary for the planning, delivery and assessment of the health care
participate in decisions regarding their health care if they expect to be treated as equal partners in the client-health carer relationship
co-operate with health carers in the provision and evaluation of health care
treat all health care staff with respect and courtesy
treat all property belonging to Eastern Health with respect
refrain from the use of any act that can be perceived by health carers, other patients/clients and visitors, as being aggressive or threatening in nature
attend all scheduled health care appointments, and if unable to do so, ensure that the Hospital or relevant service is notified, where possible, in a timely manner.

This Information was developed from the DHS Patient Charter:

Patient Charter (*PDF 228 Kb)

Printed versions are available from all clinical areas.

More information about the Patient Charter, including translations into other languages, is available on the Victorian Government Health Information Web site: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/patientcharter/