Your Rights and Responsibilities
As part of accessing a mental health service in Australia you have fundamental rights governing the provision of your care. Please find some of your rights as a client listed below, as well as your requested responsibilities if you choose to access the service.
You have the right to:
Be treated with dignity, equality, courtesy and compassion and not be subject to any form of discrimination or stigmatisation.
Be made aware of the relevant legislation which governs your rights as a client of a mental health service.
Communicate any concerns about your treatment to the service, and have those concerns addressed.
Be actively involved in the decision around the delivery of your care.
Have the services and treatment explained in terms that you understand.
Be provided with competent care, respecting your privacy and dignity.
Provide consent for treatment or refuse treatment.
Involve other people, such as family members, carers, advocates and other personal support people in the planning, undertaking and evaluation of your treatment, care and support.
Access your personal health records.
Clients have a responsibility to:
Be familiar with the terms and conditions of the service prior to commencing therapy sessions.
Keep appointments and inform the service if you are unable to keep scheduled appointments. A cancellation fee may be applied for sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
Inform the service if you plan to discontinue treatment.
Inform the service if you do not understand what you have been told about your treatment and care.
Complaint or Suggestion
As a mental health consumer you have a fundamental right to make a complaint or suggestion about a mental health service. If you think we can improve something or are dissatisfied with an element of the service please let us know. We will do our utmost to address your concern. You have the right to make a complaint anonymously, however this may limit our ability to address your concern.
