In August, the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights was launched and encourages people receiving health care in Australia to actively engage in decisions about their care with their healthcare provider.
The second edition of the Charter, developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, describes rights that apply to people in all healthcare settings across Australia and reflects an increased focus on person-centred care.
The Charter outlines what every person can expect when receiving care and describes seven fundamental rights including: access, safety, respect, partnership, information, privacy and giving feedback. Its use is embedded in the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards that all hospitals and other acute health services must meet to stay accredited.
The Charter also assists healthcare professionals, who can use it to discuss with patients their rights when using the healthcare system. The Commission has developed resources to support healthcare providers when discussing patient rights.