Your Rights and Responsibilities

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

• Be treated with courtesy and respect.
• Receive services and supports which do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, disability, sexuality or health status.
• Individual, responsive and considerate supports and services.
• Prompt service, subject to staff availability.
• Safe, high-quality services and supports from trained and experienced staff.
• Know the identity, professional status and qualifications 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.
• 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.

At Bendigo Community Health Services you have the responsibility to:

• Treat staff 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, to 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.