Patient rights

All patients in New Zealand have certain rights when receiving a health or disability service.

You will have the right to:

• always be treated with respect
• not be discriminated against, pressured or taken advantage of
• services that promote dignified and independent lives
• be treated with care and skill and receive correctly administered treatment
• medical staff who listen to you and communicate clearly
• an interpreter if required
• a clear explanation of your medical condition and the types of treatment available
• an honest description of the risks and costs as well as the benefits of proposed treatment
• ask questions and receive competent answers
• make your own decisions
• change your mind if you have already said yes or no to a course of treatment
• refuse to participate in teaching or research
• have a support person present at most times
• register a complaint.