Right 2 - Individualised service that is free from discrimination
Discrimination generally refers to unfair or less favourable treatment of a person based on a range of personal attributes or criteria that might include gender, age, race, ethnicity, physical or intellectual disability, religion, sexual orientation, political belief or activity, cultural belief or activity, situation, circumstance, economic or social status.
The Rights of the Health Service Consumer
The health service consumer has the right to receive health services regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, physical or intellectual disability, religion, sexual orientation, political belief or activity, cultural belief or activity, situation, circumstance, economic or social status.
The right to receive health services where the values and beliefs and associated judgements, attitudes, opinions and behaviours of the provider in relation to the areas listed above, do not impact on the provision of care.
The right to receive health services free from any harassment, exploitation, abuse, deception, assault or fraud.
The right to receive health services free from physical intimacy unrelated to the health service or medical treatment and free from unwarranted attention of a sexual nature.
The right to be treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
The right to receive health services where the needs, wishes and background of the consumer are known, and considered in the provision of his/her health care.
The right to withdraw from service provision if the provider behaves in an unacceptable way or places the consumer under duress.
The Rights of the Health Service Provider
The provider has the right to request information about the consumer’s background, needs and wishes so that he/she can consider the impact of these on the provision of health care, for example:
If the consumer feels that his/her gender, age, race, ethnicity, physical or intellectual disability, religion, sexual orientation, political belief or activity, cultural belief or activity, situation, circumstance, economic or social status will have an impact on his/her health or provision of care, the consumer should inform the provider.
The right to be informed if the needs or wishes of the consumer are not being met or if the provider has been intrusive, insensitive or inconsiderate of the background of the consumer.
The right to be informed if the consumer wishes to seek a second opinion.
The right to expect reasonable courtesy and respect from the consumer.
The right to provide health services free from any harassment, exploitation, abuse, deception, assault or fraud.
The right to refuse to provide a health service if he/she has a conscientious or other objection. In these circumstances the provider should refer the consumer to another provider who may be able to provide the service or to a support group or organisation who can assist the consumer in seeking appropriate service provision.
The right to refuse service if the consumer behaves in a threatening or unacceptable way or places the provider or those working with the provider under duress.