Download Advocacy Brochure (PDF 946kb)
We will make every effort to ensure you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible during your time at WDHS.
We understand that a hospital visit can be unsettling so we go to great lengths to ease any apprehension you may have about your treatment and your stay, whether you are coming to us as an inpatient, day patient or out patient.
We offer you the opportunity to come and visit the hospital before your appointment to familiarise yourself with its surroundings and we also take measures to prepare for your care in advance by asking you to tell us about your general health.
Patient Rights – you have the right to:
- A wide range of public hospital services
- Treatment based on medical need, regardless of your ability to pay or health insurance status
- Choose whether you wish to have treatment as a public or private patient
- Be treated with respect, dignity and consideration for privacy
- Access to your health records under the Freedom of Information Act and confidentiality for your personal information
- Receive information about your health care and, if you wish, a second opinion
- Information on which hospital staff will provide your care
- Participate in decisions about your treatment, care and discharge
- Treatment and care in a safe environment
- Services provided in a culturally sensitive way
- Make a complaint to an independent complaints organisation (e.g. the Health Services Commissioner)
- An opportunity to discuss questions or complaints you may have concerning your hospital stay
- Information on steps the hospital takes to improve the quality of care
- Access to an accredited interpreter if necessary
- Refuse any treatment or service you are not comfortable with
Your Responsibilities
Good care also comes from responsible patients. You have the responsibility to:
- Work with your treating team by providing relevant information about your health and circumstances that may influence your treatment, recovery or stay in hospital
- Follow your prescribed treatment
- Be considerate of staff and other patients. Ask your visitors to be considerate of staff and other patients
- Keep to your appointment times or advise staff if you need to change an appointment
- Tell hospital staff if your health condition changes
Click here to learn more about the Public Hospital Patient Charter