Rights and Responsibilities

Armadale Health Service is committed to a philosophy of providing the highest standard of service and care to all our patients. We expect our staff to be considerate, courteous and respectful to our patients and their carers, as well as to each other.

Being a patient in our hospital and receiving care from our staff, comes with a special set of rights and responsibilities. As a patient, you have the right to receive care that is respectful, responsive, safe and effective. You also have the responsibility to provide all relevant health information to your doctor, and to treat our staff and other patients with respect.

Our responsibilities to patients

We are committed to ensuring that patients are entitled to:

• Considerate and respectful care at all times and under all circumstances.
• Respect for their privacy and confidentiality.
• Care by competent staff who have skills and qualifications consistent with recognised standards, practices and ethics.
• Care in a clean, health-promoting environment.
• Impartial access to treatment or accommodation regardless of race, gender, age, sexual preference, marital status, intellectual or physical impairment and financial or health insurance status.
• Appropriate access for their disability.
• Full information about their medical condition, the treatment options and the likely effects of proposed treatments so that informed decisions can be made.
• A professional interpreter where needed.
• The right to refuse any investigation and/or treatment.
• The right to a second medical opinion, if this is requested.
• The right to choose whether or not to take part in research, clinical trials or student training.

Your responsibilities as a patient

As a patient, you have a responsibility to:

• Provide accurate and complete information about your present medical conditions, medications and special needs.
• Provide information about any special needs you may have that are an important part of your culture or religion.
• Follow treatment instructions or let us know if you are unwilling or unable to do so.
• Advise our staff if you need to cancel your appointment.
• Consider the comfort and needs of other patients.
• Respect the role and dignity of our staff and their right to a safe and pleasant work environment.

More information

• Patient First - Going to Hospital (PDF 1.2MB)
• Patient First - Staying Safe In Hospital (PDF 1.4MB)
• Patient First - 8 simple steps to keeping yourself safe during your hospital stay (PDF 1.9MB)
  • Translated versions of the 8 simple steps to keeping yourself safe during your hospital stay guide are available on the HealthyWA website
• Patient First - Going home checklist (PDF 1.2MB)
• Patient First - Now You Are Home (PDF 1MB)
• Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (external site)