Your Rights and Responsibilities

As a client of Bendigo Community Health Services you have the right to:

• Be treated with courtesy and respect; free from stigma and descrimination
• Receive professional caring services that appreciates differences related to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, personal values, age, disability and/or economic status
• Have your cultural, religious, and social needs, values and beliefs considered with dignity and respect, that includes being welcomed into a culturally safe space where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural rights are recognized and actively supported
• Individual, responsive and considerate supports and services
• Be assured that children’s rights to safety, participation, and age-appropriate services are prioritised and protected throughout all aspects of our care
• Prompt service, subject to staff availability
• Safe, high-quality services and supports from trained and experienced staff
• Know the identity, professional status and qualification of staff
• Request a transfer to, or obtain a second opinion from, an alternative healthcare worker from the same team, although this may involve travel to a different site
• Participate in decisions affecting you
• Have a friend, family member or professional advocate with you when receiving a service or support from us
• Decline any advice, information or treatment options given to you by your healthcare workers and to be fully informed of the consequences of that decision
• Refuse student involvement in the provision of services or supports to you
• Refuse to participate in education or research programs
• Expect that information concerning you will be treated confidentially within BCHS, according to privacy or information requirements
• Request access to your own health information
• Have your health records amended if they’re incorrect
• Make a complaint about any matter to BCHS and to have that complaint resolved through fair and adequate means
• Continue to receive services and supports after making a complaint
• Be notified when something goes wrong with your care.

At Bendigo Community Health Services you have the responsibility to:

• Treat employees and others in the service with courtesy and respect
• Respect the privacy of others attending BCHS
• Keep appointments and/or if unable to keep an appointment, notify BCHS as soon as possible
• Assist in planning your supports and services by giving accurate and complete information about your current health and wellbeing concerns
• Be actively involved in your own treatment and supports
• Acknowledge the consequences of your decision if declining services or information offered by a healthcare worker
• Respect any agreement made between you and your healthcare worker.