Your rights

It’s important that when you are in our care at an Avive Health clinic, you understand that you have the right to:

• considerate and respectful care, regardless of race, creed, gender or nationality.
• know the name of the doctor who is primarily responsible for coordinating your care, and the identity and functions of others who are involved in providing care.
• seek a second opinion.
• receive information from your doctor, in language you understand, about your illness, its likely cause, expected treatment, plans for discharge from the clinic and follow-up care.
• be fully informed about your treatment, state of health, accepted alternative methods of treatment (including risks and advantages of each) as well as the consequences of refusing treatment prior to giving consent. Unless the law prohibits, you may refuse recommended treatment, tests or procedures and you may leave against the advice of your doctor at your own risk, after all discharge forms have been completed.
• be informed of estimated costs prior to any treatment.
• refuse to take part in medical studies or experimental treatment.
• confidentiality of your information, unless written permission is provided by you or your representative, or it is required by law.
• know your discharge plan and any continuing healthcare you may need, including the time and location of appointments and the name of any doctor who will be providing follow-up care.
• be visited by people of your choice during daily visiting hours as established by the clinic, send and receive personal mail, and be visited by pastoral services.
• retain and use personal possessions as space permits, unless doing so would infringe on the rights of other patients, or unless medically contraindicated.
• be maintained in a safe and secure environment.
• make complaints and have access to advocacy and assistance to resolve such complaints.

As a patient, you also have the responsibility to:

• provide accurate and complete information about matters relating to your health.
• report unexpected changes in your condition to staff.
• ask questions if you do not understand your treatment plan or what is expected of you.
• follow your recommended treatment plan, including the instructions of staff involved in your care.
• keep appointments where able to do so, or inform the clinic/doctor if you are unable to attend as planned.
• provide information concerning your ability to pay for services; ensure your health insurance policy remains financial for the duration of your admission.
• accept the consequences of your actions by refusing treatment or instructions.
• be considerate of the rights of other patients and clinic staff.
• always be respectful of clinic property and the property of other people in the clinic; and be responsible for your own personal items while in the clinic.