Healthcare Rights: Will patients' rights be respected?

A patient-centred health system is known to be associated with safer and higher quality care. Although patient satisfaction with health services in Australia is generally high, recent research suggests that patients' experiences are not always valued and that their expectations are not always met. This does not necessarily lead to poor clinical outcomes for the individuals concerned, however making a strong and consistent effort to respect patients' expectations through a charter of rights is indicative of a patient-centred health system. The Commission has developed the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights to underpin the provision of safe and high quality care and support a shared understanding of the rights of patients and consumers between those seeking health care and those providing health care.