Health Services (Health Service Establishments) Regulations 2024

The proprietor of a health service establishment must ensure that on or before admission each patient of the hospital or centre is given—

a statement containing information in relation to the health services provided at the health service establishment that complies with subregulation (2); and

information about health service establishment fees and likely out of pocket expenses to be charged by the health service establishment, and any likely third party fees and out of pocket expenses in relation to the health services to be provided to the patient at the health service establishment; and

a clear explanation of the treatment and other health services to be provided to the patient at the health service establishment.

A statement referred to in subregulation (1) must contain information about the following matters—

the quality or standard of health care and services provided at the health service establishment;

courteous treatment of patients;

consideration of a patient's gender identity, beliefs and ethnic, cultural and religious practices;

consideration of a patient's special dietary needs (if any);

a patient's privacy;

that a patient may request the names and roles of the key health workers involved in the patient's care;

a patient's entitlement to ask for a referral if they want to seek another medical opinion;

that any personal information or identifying material about a patient is dealt with in a confidential manner except—

if necessary to enable another health care worker to assist in the patient's care; or

if authorised by or under a law;

a patient's consent to treatment;

that a patient may refuse the presence of health workers not directly involved in the patient's care;

that a patient may discharge themselves at any time despite the advice of the attending registered health practitioner or staff of the health service establishment;

that a patient may comment on or complain about the treatment or the quality of the health services or care being provided, including to whom any complaint should be made.