Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Patients have the right to:

• Receive clear and transparent information about their health and healthcare plan from their care team
• Receive timely interpretative services in their language of choice including Sign Language
• Collaborate with their healthcare team to achieve their health goals
• Receive all information necessary to give informed consent when appropriate
• Express concern about the care or treatment they have received
• Ask when they have questions or concerns about their care

Patients have the responsibility to:

• Contribute actively to their healthcare and healthcare decisions to the extent they are capable
• To the best of their ability, provide the healthcare team with accurate and complete information

Patients have the right to:

• Be treated with respect and dignity throughout their care journey
• Know the names and roles of their healthcare team

Patients have the responsibility to:

• Participate in actively planning with their care team surrounding their healthcare needs and their discharge planning requirements
• Keep scheduled appointments, or cancel when unable to attend appointment

Patients have the right to:

• Be treated in a considerate, respectful manner regardless of age, sex, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed/religion, disability (whether physical/mental, past/present/future, and/or perceived/actual), family status, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, and/or other future protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Receive care that is free from discrimination, harassment, reprisal, and exploitation

Patients have the responsibility to:

• Be considerate and respectful of RVH employees, professional staff, students, volunteers, other patients and families regardless of age, sex, ancestry, colour, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed/religion, disability (whether physical/mental, past/present/future, and/or perceived/actual), family status, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, and/or other future protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code

Patients have the right to:

• Receive high quality patient care consistent with best practices and within existing resources
• Receive care in a safe and secure environment that optimizes quality of life and minimizes potential harm
• Have access to their healthcare record in accordance with current legislation and RVH policy

Patients have the responsibility to:

• Be active participants in their care plan

Patients have the right to:

• A safe care environment that is universally- accessible
• Access to assistive devices when needed while at RVH
• Have access to timely care and attention
• Privacy and confidentiality of all personal information and clinical records regarding their care in accordance with the RVH privacy policies and practices

Patients have the responsibility to:

• Behave in a safe and responsible manner
• Be aware that the loss of their personal belongings and valuables are not the responsibility of RVH, and RVH will not assume financial responsibility
• Respect the privacy and confidentiality of other patients and the healthcare teams
• Comply and ask others to comply with RVH infection control and safety policies
• Comply with RVH’s zero tolerance for any form of workplace violence