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.