Queensland supports national standards for patient rights in healthcare

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health
The Honourable Paul Lucas
17/03/2010
Queensland supports national standards for patient rights in healthcare

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas today launched the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, an initiative that outlines the rights of patients.

The Charter, a national standard designed to support patients Australia-wide, gives patients, families, carers and service-providers a common understanding of the rights of those receiving healthcare.

Mr Lucas said the Charter also outlined the responsibilities of healthcare providers.

"At the core of the Charter is this: healthcare and the health system must be centred on the patient," Mr Lucas said.

"It allows patients, consumers, families, carers and health care providers to share an understanding of the rights of the people who receive care.

"The Bligh Government is committed to free and equitable access to healthcare, regardless of financial, social or cultural circumstances - and this Charter confirms that commitment.

"In addition, it empowers patients and their f amilies to be informed about and find the most appropriate health care for their needs.

"What's more, it will ensure a consistent approach to healthcare across the public and private sectors," he said.

"Queensland Health alone provides 50,000 occasions of service every day and the vast majority of those are very positive experiences for our patients.

"But past experience has shown us that no health system is perfect and this will allow us to learn from the greatest experts of all - our patients.

"There is always something to learn from giving and getting feedback.

"The health system can learn from very positive experiences just as much as from those that are not," Mr Lucas said.

Health Consumers Queensland Chairperson Mark Tucker-Evans said the Charter publicly committed to the provision of safe, quality and accessible healthcare for all consumers in an atmosphere of dignity, respect and consideration.

"The rollout of t his important Charter across Queensland supports consumers, families and carers to be actively involved in their healthcare, health services and the health system to achieve more person-centred, timely and responsive healthcare.

"We look forward to working with Queensland Health, the private health sector and key community organisations around the Charter's implementation across their organisations."

Mr Lucas said materials had also been designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in collaboration with the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council.

The Queensland Health Public Patient Charter currently governs the rights of consumers using the Queensland public health system.

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights will now supersede all other state and territory patient charters, across the public and private sectors, across the nation.