Your Patient Rights

At Freshwater Day Surgery, every patient is our guest who should receive an unsurpassed level of medical care in the safest environment. Here we provide important information about keeping you informed, safe and supported whilst in our care. Remember the most important person making the decisions about your health is you, so it is important to know your rights and responsibilities. 

• Receive a clear explanation as to why the investigation or treatment is considered necessary

• Receive an explanation as to the expected outcomes, risks and side-effects of the investigation or treatment, and an explanation as to other investigations or treatment options

• Discuss any matter regarding your health or care that you feel is relevant

• Ask for an interpreter if you do not understand English well

• Have time to consider the proposal or discuss it with a relative, friend or helper

• Have a second medical opinion and the right to consent, refuse or withdraw consent at any time without prejudicing your relationship with your medical advisor

• Know that you should receive healthcare and service of the highest quality, and be informed before your procedure of the likely out-of-pocket expense to you

• Know that your personal medical details and identity are treated as strictly confidential

• Know that you will be treated with courtesy and have your ethnic, cultural and religious practices respected

You have the right to express an opinion or make a reasonable complaint about treatment you have received. If you wish to make a complaint, you should discuss the matter with the doctor involved. 

• Contact the Health Care Complaints Commission

To obtain the best result from your health care, you do have certain responsibilities. These include simple courtesies and actions to assist those who are caring for you. You should provide accurate and complete information about your present health, past illnesses, previous hospitalisations, allergies and any medications you are taking. You have the responsibility to ensure that proper provision is made for your transport home. As Freshwater Day Surgery is a private hospital and you are a private patient, you are responsible for the fees incurred. If you are insured, we will, with your consent, settle the account with your health fund.

Freshwater Day Surgery provides an episode report for every procedure that occurs. A copy can be provided to your referring GP and to yourself. Please note that requesting digital reports and file copies may incur a small fee.

• Be told about what happens to your health record

• Have choice and control over the information collected

• Ask to see what is in your health record. If you think something is incorrect, you can ask for it to be corrected

• Be told why and when a health service provider may need to share your information, for example, to ensure you receive quality treatment and care.

Please note that we are guided by legislation, in particular the Freedom of Information Act. Sometimes we require you to provide sufficient identification so we can ensure we are providing information to the correct person.