Policy responses and statements

Name of organisation:

Scottish Government

Name of policy document:

The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Deadline for response:

30 June 2012

Introduction:

The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 24 February 2011, and received Royal Assent on 31 March 2011. The Act gives all patients the right that the health care they receive will:

- consider their needs,
- consider what would most benefit their health and wellbeing, and
- encourage them to take part in decisions about their health and wellbeing, and
- provide them with the information and support to do so.

It also gives patients a right to give feedback or comments, or raise concerns or complaints about the care they have received from the NHS in Scotland. The Act requires Scottish Ministers to publish a Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities. The Act introduced some new rights for patients, but there are also existing rights. The Charter summarises the rights and responsibilities of patients using the NHS in Scotland, and of people who have a personal interest in such patients‟ health care.

What the Charter does:

This Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities (the „Charter‟) sets out a summary of your rights and responsibilities, and what you can expect when you use NHS services and receive NHS care in Scotland. It does not create new rights or responsibilities or change those that already exist. The Charter also tells you what you can do if you feel that your rights have not been respected. Some of your responsibilities when using the NHS in Scotland are set out in law. Others are what everyone is expected to do to help the NHS work effectively in Scotland, and to help make sure its resources are used responsibly.

Patient rights and responsibilities

This part provides an explanation of your rights and responsibilities when you use the NHS in Scotland.

It also:

- provides information about relevant targets or expectations which the NHS is committed to meet in Scotland
- explains what the NHS in Scotland expects from you.

The information in this part is presented under the following headings:

- Access: your rights when using health services
- Confidentiality: the right for your personal health information to be kept secure and confidential
- Communication and participation: the right to be informed, and involved in decisions, about health care and services
- Respect: the right to be treated with dignity and respect
- Safety: the right to safe and effective care
- Comments and complaints: the right to have a say about your care and have any concerns dealt with, and what you can do if you feel your rights have not been respected.

Download The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities Response as a .pdf

Copies of this response are available from:

Lesley Lockhart,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JQ.

Tel: 0131 225 7324 ext 608
Fax: 0131 220 3939

[21 June 2012]