Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
The Mackay Hospital and Health Service fully supports the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. It describes the right of patients and other people using the Australian health system.
To view the Charter in other languages please visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare website.
To view the Charter in Auslan and animation videos:
Multimedia resources for the Charter | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
You also have responsibilities for your own health care.
It is your responsibility to:
- Understand: your health condition and any treatment necessary to manage your health needs
- Monitor: your health and seek medical assistance as required
- Provide: information to assist with your care and treatment
- Tell: us when you have questions or concerns about your care
- Cooperate: with your health care team
Mental Health Act 2016
- Involuntary clients, such as a person subject to a treatment authority made by a doctor under the Mental Health Act 2016
- Voluntary clients being treated in a mental health service, including a person being treated under an advance health directive or with the consent of a personal guardian or attorney
- A client’s support person/s (family, carers and other support persons)
A guide to the Mental Health Act 2016 has been developed to help you understand the Act. The guide summarises key areas of the Act and provides references for those who want to refer to the legislation for a more detailed understanding.
To view the guide and other resources click here.
Resources for clients:
Statement of Rights for patients of mental health services
Resources for support persons:
Rights of family, carers and other support people factsheet
Role of Nominated Support Persons factsheet
Open disclosure
Every day thousands of people receive health care. Sometimes things go wrong which cause unintentional harm to you or someone you care for. In health care, this is known as an incident. Your healthcare provider (such as doctor or nurse) should talk with you about it as soon as possible.
Open disclosure is the discussion with you, your healthcare provider and the people you may choose to support you (such as your family, carer or friend) about an incident that caused harm whilst receiving healthcare. To learn more about open disclosure, please visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care here.
You can also view the latest factsheets below:
- Open disclosure – what to expect if you experience harm during health care?
- Preparing and participating in open disclosure discussions
Ryan’s rule
Ryan’s Rule assists you to get help when you are concerned about a patient in hospital who is getting worse or not improving. The Mackay Hospital and Health Service fully supports this initiative.
Background
Ryan Saunders was nearly three years old when he tragically died in hospital. His death was found to be in all likelihood preventable. Staff did not know Ryan as well as his mum and dad knew him. When Ryan’s parents were worried he was getting worse they didn’t feel their concerns were acted on in time. Ryan’s Rule has been developed to provide patients of any age, families and carers with another way to get help.
If you are concerned
If you have any concerns you wish to raise simply follow these steps:
Step 1
Talk to a nurse or doctor about your concerns. If you are not satisfied with the response:
Step 2
Talk to the nurse in charge of the shift. If you are not satisfied with the response:
Step 3
Phone 13 HEALTH(13 43 25 84) or ask a nurse and they will call on your behalf.
Request a Ryan’s Rule Clinical Review and provide the following information:
• Hospital name
• Patient’s name
• Ward, bed number (if known)
• Contact phone number A Ryan’s Rule nurse or doctor will review the patient and assist