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Patient rights

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Patients and visitors

Patient rights

Every person who uses health and disability services has rights. The organisations and people who provide health and disability services have duties. These rights and duties are clearly set out in the Code of Health and Disability Services - Consumer Rights.

  • To be treated with respect.
  • To freedom from discrimination, coercion, harassment and exploitation.
  • To dignity and independence.
  • To services of an appropriate standard.
  • To effective communication.
  • To be fully informed.
  • To make an informed choice and give informed consent.
  • To support.
  • In respect of teaching or research.
  • To complain.

For more information on your rights as a patient when using health services please visit the following websites.

Health and Disability Commissioner
www.hdc.org.nz
Health and Disability Advocacy
advocacy.org.nz

There are things you can do if you are unhappy about the service you received from an organisation providing health or disability services.

  • Take your concerns directly to the person or organisation that provided the service. See the information on giving feedback or making a complaint.
  • Get help and support from friends, family/whānau to raise your concerns with the service.
  • Seek the support of a health and disability advocate or health consumer service. These people provide an independent and impartial service, and can listen to your concerns, support and advise you, communicate with the provider and liaise with them on your behalf.

    Health Consumer Service
    www.healthcomplaints.co.nz 
    0800 801 482

    Health and Disability Advocacy
    www.hdc.org.nz/advocacy
    0800 555 050

  • The following brochures are available from Waikato DHB and displayed in patient/public areas.
    • What matters to you – Making a complaint.
    • What matters to you – Your feedback.
    • Having a problem with a health or disability service? (Produced by Health and Disability Advocates).

  • You can also make a complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner.

    Health and Disability Commissioner
    www.hdc.org.nz
    0800 11 22 33