Patient Health Rights Charter (South Africa)

PATIENT HEALTH RIGHTS CHARTER  For many decades the vast majority of the South African population has experienced either a denial or violation of fundamental human rights, including rights to health care services.  To ensure the realisation of the right of access to health ca...

PATIENT HEALTH RIGHTS CHARTER  For many decades the vast majority of the South African population has experienced either a denial or violation of fundamental human rights, including rights to health care services.  To ensure the realisation of the right of access to health care services as guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 109 of 1996), the Department of Health is committed to upholding, promoting and protecting this right and, therefore, proclaims this PATIENTS’ RIGHTS CHARTER as a common standard for achieving the realisation of this right. 1.3 Equally, Practitioners should adhere to the stipulations of this charter as it relates to them  A HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT  ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY  SANITATION  WASTE DISPOSAL  PROTECTION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL DANGER SUCH AS POLLUTION, ECOLOGICAL DEGREDATION AND INFECTION  PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING  MATTERS AFFECTING THEIR OWN HEALTH AND  PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH POLICIES  ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE I. TIMELY EMERGENCY CARE – REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY II. TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION (WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THEREOF) III. PROVISION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS a. NEWBORNS b. AGED c. PREGANAT d. DISABLED e. THOSE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS f. THOSE IN PAIN  COUNSELING WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION, COERCION OR VIOLENCE  PALLIATIVE CARE  POSITIVE DISPOSITION DISPLAYED BY HEALTH CARE WORKERS  HEALTH INFORMATION INCLUDING THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH SERVICES  KNOWLEDGE OF ONES HEALTH INSURANCE/ MEDICAL AID SCHEME  ENTITLED TO INFORMATIN ABOUT THE INSURANCE  CHOICE OF HEALTH SERVICES  THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OR FACILITY BE TREATED BY A NAMED HEALTHCAE PROVIDER CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY  INFORMATION CONCERNING ONES HEALTH, INCLUDING TREATMENT MAY ONLY BE DISCLOSED WITH INFORMED CONSENT  EXEPT WHEN REQUIRED IN TERMS OF THE LAW OR ANY ORDER OF THE COURT  INFORMED CONSENT  RIGHT TO FULL AND ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT I. ILLNESS II. DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE III. PROPOSED TREATMENT IV. RISKS OF TREATMENT V. COSTS INVOLVED  REFUSAL OF TREATMENT (PROVIDED IT DOES NOT ENDANGER THE LIVES OF OTHERS  A SECOND OPINION  CONTINUITY OF CARE  COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEALTH SERVICES  RESPONSIBILITIES OF PATIENT  TAKE CARE OF HIS OR HER OWN HEALTH  CARE AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT  RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHER PATIENTS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS’TO UTILISE THE EHALTH CARE SYSTEM PROPERLY AND NOT ABUSE IT  TO KNOW HIS OR HER LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES AND WHAT THEY OFFER  TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WITH RELEVANT AND ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR DIAGNOSTIC, TREATMENT, REHABILITATION OR COUNSELLING PURPOSES  TO ADVISE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF HIS OR HER WISHES WITH REGARD TO HIS OR HER DEATH