The Board of Management and staff of Southern Districts War Memorial Hospital are committed to the belief that whether as an inpatient or an out patient you, as a patient in this hospital, have rights. Our aim is to deliver health care that not only meets the highest attainable standards but also preserves these rights.
1 Quality Health Care as promptly as possible
You have the right to the best available health care, that is, to the most appropriate treatment available without regard to sex, race, religion, creed, economical or social circumstances.
2 Considerate and Courteous Care
You have the right to be treated with dignity, respect and consideration by all who may care for you. There should be respect and understanding of religious, ethnic or cultural practices. You have the right to be addressed by the name of you choice. You have the right to be heard to question when you desire more information and to receive an appropriate response.
3 Respect for privacy
You have the right to expect that your individuality will be respected and that you will be given privacy.
4 Adequate information
You have the right to receive adequate information of all aspects of services provided and treatment available in terms you can understand. You have the right to be kept informed about your illness and treatment.
5 Participation in decision making
You have the right to be informed of decisions regarding your treatment and health. You have the right to consent to or to refuse any treatment, tests, examination or procedure at any time. You have the right if you do refuse any treatment etc to be given details of the likely or potential outcome of your refusal. You have the right to discharge yourself from hospital at any time.
6 Expressing your opinion
You have the right to express your opinion by making suggestions or complaints. It is also possible to write to the administrator of the hospital with details of matters which concern you.
7 Confidentiality
You have the right to confidentiality of information given to any member of the hospital staff unless the law requires otherwise in specific circumstances. Confidential information or treatment details will not be voluntarily given without first obtaining your consent