As a patient some of your key rights are:
- To receive NHS services free of charge
- Not be discriminated against
- Be treated with professional standards by qualified and experienced staff
- Expect NHS organisations to monitor and try to improve continuously the quality of their services
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Accept or refuse treatment and only be physically examined with consent
- Be given information about any test and treatment options open to you, what they involve and their risks and benefits
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Have any complaint acknowledged within three days and properly investigated
Some of our key pledges to patients are:
- Ensure that any transfer between services is as smooth as possible and you are fully involved
- Provide a clean and safe environment
- Share with you any letters sent between clinicians about you
- Treat you with courtesy and give support in the handling of any complaint and ensure it has no effect on any future treatment
- Identify, acknowledge and learn from mistakes, complaints and claims
Some of your responsibilities are to:
- Treat NHS staff and other patients with respect
- Keep appointments or cancel within a reasonable time
- Give positive or negative feedback about your experiences and the treatment and care you receive