Tasmania welcomes the new national patients’ rights charter

The Tasmanian Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, has welcomed the national adoption of a new charter of patient rights, which was driven by the renowned Tasmanian ethicist, the late Dr Christopher Newell.

Ms Giddings said health ministers from across Australia had endorsed a new Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, as the minimum national standard for patient rights.

“Christopher Newell is tragically no longer with us, but his legacy of championing consumer rights will benefit patients around the country for years to come,” Ms Giddings said.

State, territory and Commonwealth health ministers paid tribute to Dr Newell’s contribution to the new Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights.

As the national consumers’ representative on the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Dr Newell played a pivotal role in the development of the new charter, after extensive consultation earlier this year.

“The national adoption of the Charter is fitting recognition of his outstanding work over many years, to support the rights of patients and other clients of our health services,” Ms Giddings said.

“Currently, every jurisdiction has a range of separate and different charters and statements of rights and responsibilities.

“Tasmania’s Charter will be strengthened, particularly in the rights and responsibilities of healthcare consumers in the mental health sector.

“The new Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights summarises the basic rights that all people should expect to receive when accessing health care services:

• Access – the right to receive health care;
• Safety – the right to safe and high quality care;
• Respect – the right to respect, dignity and consideration;
• Communication – the right to be informed about services, options, costs etc;
• Participation – the right to be included in decisions and choices;
• Privacy – the right to privacy and confidentiality of personal information; and
• Comment – the right to comment on care and have concerns addressed.

“The Charter will inform patients and consumers of their rights, and will help to educate health care workers and providers of their responsibilities.”