This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Patients rights and responsibilities
17/03/2003
Proposals setting out what patients have a right to
expect from the health service in Scotland and how they can
access their health records have been issued for
consultation.
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
explains what is available in the community, in a doctors
or dentists practice or in hospital. It also sets out what
to do if patients and the public want to comment on the
service they have received or if they wish to make a
complaint.
In summary it provides information on:
- How to comment on your care
- What happens when you leave hospital
- How to find about standards for particular
treatments e.g. kidney disease
- Guaranteed waiting times
- How to get involved in improving services in your
local area
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"The White Paper, Partnership for Care, set out our
commitment to providing a safe, high quality service that
is designed around the needs of patients and their carers
and families.
"Every part of NHSScotland must work to ensure that the
standards set out in this document are being met.
"If they are not, it provides advice to the public on
what they can expect from NHSScotland and what to do if
something goes wrong.
The proposals set out in
How to Access Your Health Records describe
to patients their legal right to see their health record
and any medical reports concerning them, undertaken for an
insurance company or employer.
The leaflet describes what is a health record, gives
details on how to apply to see the records and how to
complain if there are any problems with the way a patients
application has been dealt with.
The Minister said:
"I am determined to create a health service that is open
and responsive to patients as possible. Everyone has a
legal right to see their health record and this provides
clear advice on how patients can go about accessing
them.
The deadline for consultation responses is June 20.
On March 4 it was announced that the Scottish Consumer
Council is to receive nearly £450,000, over the next two
years to develop a series of patients rights leaflets on
subjects like confidentiality, consent and complaints.