You and the hospital staff have rights and responsibilities. Werribee Mercy Hospital will respect your needs and rights, give you clear information about your medical condition and treatment and offer you the best possible advice and support. Mental health patients rights and responsibilities may differ.
Your Rights As a patient of Werribee Mercy Hospital you have the right to:
Receive the best care available.
Be treated with respect and consideration.
As much privacy as possible.
Have your medical history and personal information kept confidential.
Receive a clear explanation of your health problem, test results, the types of treatment available and their benefits and risks.
Ask questions and to have sufficient time to consider the information supplied.
Participate in decisions about your health and treatment.
Fully understand your treatment before signing a consent form.
Withdraw from or refuse treatment. If you intend to withdraw from further treatment you should discuss this with medical staff as soon as possible so that you fully understand the consequences of such action.
Seek the help of a professionally qualified interpreter.
Your Responsibilities While patients have rights, they also have responsibilities to the hospital. You can help us to provide the best care for you by:
Giving us accurate information about your health and all your current treatment and medication.
Telling hospital staff as soon as possible if your health changes.
Asking for an interpreter if you need one.
Asking your doctor to explain your condition and treatment. You should satisfy yourself that you understand what your doctor has told you before you sign a consent form.
By coming to the hospital, you have already given general agreement of consent to treatment necessary for your condition. Operations, anaesthesia and some procedures require your specific consent and you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Following your prescribed treatment. If for any reason you are unable to take prescribed medicines or comply with any treatment please tell us.
Being considerate to staff and other patients and asking your visitors to be considerate by ensuring that children are supervised at all times.
Keeping your appointment times or telling staff when you need to change an appointment.
Feedback - Help Us To Help You The staff of Werribee Mercy Hospital aim to achieve the highest standard of care possible while you are with us. We welcome your comments and suggestions on ways in which we can provide a better service to you and other patients.
Occasionally you may be asked to complete a survey about the services you received. Please take the time to complete it as it will help us to provide the highest standard of care.
Complaints If a problem arises, please let one of our staff know.Many problems can be resolved quickly once brought to our attention. If you are not able to resolve your problem through talking with those directly involved with your care, you may wish to direct your concerns in writing to the General Manager at the hospital. Patient feedback forms are available from the ward staff.
Health Services Commissioner If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you may write to the Health Services Commissioner.This is an independent agency available to anyone who has a complaint about a health service in Victoria.
