We have adopted the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. The Charter describes the rights of clients, consumers, families and carers in all healthcare settings across Australia.

The Charter is available in 17 languages, Braille and audio versions.

Consistent with the Charter, as our client you have the right to:

• Healthcare, even if you cannot pay.
• Considerate, quality, respectful and safe care regardless of (but not limited to) your ethnicity, faith, socio-economic circumstance, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, body, migration status, age or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
• Clear, easy to understand information about your care, condition, treatment options, expected outcomes, side effects and costs.
• Have your privacy and confidentiality respected.
• Makes suggestions, give feedback and ask questions about your care.
• Have someone represent you, including external advocacy groups.
• Access an interpreter if you need one.

As our client, you have a responsibility to:

• Be considerate and respectful of all staff, volunteers, clients and visitors – everyone has a right to feel safe at our health centres.
• Give enough information for us to provide good care.
• Respect the privacy of other clients and to keep any information shared by group members in programs conducted by Your Community Health confidential.
• Be involved in making decisions about your care and ask for more information if you do not understand something.
• Carry out a treatment program, or tell us if you are not going to.
• Observe safety procedures while attending our health centres or services.
• Tell us if you cannot make an appointment (at least 24 hours’ notice).

Aggressive and violent behaviour from visitors towards our staff is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This means we will act upon all incidents of violence and aggression. For more information, click here.

Our staff members are responsible for:

• Informing you of your rights and responsibilities.
• Assisting you in exercising these rights.
• Complying with international covenants, legislation and regulations in all contact with clients.

Our staff members have a right to:

• Be treated with respect and courtesy.
• See other clients if you are late for your appointment.
• Refuse a service to anyone who abuses or threatens themselves or others.
• Remove a client from the waiting list if appointments are consistently missed without proper notice.
• Be provided with accurate information about your health (e.g. medications) that may affect your treatment.

For further information about the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights or your rights and responsibilities, you can ask your health worker or contact the Manager, Quality Safety and Risk on (03) 8470 1111 or quality@yourch.org.au.