Patient's Charter

The purpose of the Patient’s Charter is to explain both your Rights and Responsibilities, as a patient. Knowing and understanding your rights and responsibilities will make your relationship with health care providers a mutually beneficial one.

The Charter sets out the ways in which the community and the health care providers work as partners in a positive and open relationship with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of the health care process.

Your Rights

1. The right to receive medical advice and treatment which fully meets the currently accepted standards of care and quality
2. The right to information about what health care services are available, and what charges are involved.
3. The right to be given a clear description of your medical condition, with diagnosis, prognosis (i.e. an opinion as to the likely future course of any illness), and of the treatment proposed including common risks and appropriate alternatives.
4. The right to know the names of any medication to be prescribed, and its normal actions and potential side-effects given your condition.
5. The right to accept or refuse any medication, investigation or treatment, and to be informed of the likely consequences of doing so.
6. The right to a second medical opinion.
7. The right to have your privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs respected.
8. The right of access to medical information which relates to your condition and treatment.
9. The right to have information relating to your medical condition kept confidential.
10. The right to make a complaint through channels provided for this purpose by the Union Hospital, and to have any complaint dealt with promptly and fairly.
11. The right to choose whether or not to take part in medical research programme.

Your Responsibilities

edical care is a partnership between patients and health care workers. As well as giving you the basic rights which we have just outlined, this also brings with it certain basic responsibilities on your part, play an active and responsible role in the health care process, you should:

1. Give your health care providers as much information as you can about your present health, past illnesses, any allergies and any other relevant details
2. Follow the prescribed and agreed treatment plan, and conscientiously comply with the instructions given.
3. Show consideration for the rights of other patients and health care providers, by following the hospital rules concerning patient conduct.
4. Keep any appointments that you make, or notify the hospital or clinic as early as possible if you are unable to do so
5. Not ask health care providers to provide incorrect information, receipts or certificates.
6. Not waste medical resources unnecessarily.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to:

1. Union Hospital, 18 Fu Kin Street, Tai Wai, Shatin, Hong Kong (Attention: Chief Mediator), or
2. E-mail to pf@union.org

Reference: Patients’ Charter, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, 1998

The purpose of the Charter for Children in Hospital is to explain your Rights, as a patient of Union Hospital. Knowing and understanding your rights will make your relationship with health care providers a mutually beneficial one.

Your Rights as a Hospital Patient

1. Children shall be admitted to hospital only if the care they require cannot be provided equally well at home or on a day basis.
2. Children in hospital shall be able to have their parents with them at all times, provided this is in the child's best interests. Accommodation shall be offered to all parents whenever possible and they should be helped and encouraged to stay. In order to share in the care of their child, parents shall be fully informed about ward routines and their active participation shall be encouraged.
3. Children shall enjoy the care of appropriately trained staff who are fully aware of the physical and emotional needs of each age group.
4. Children shall be cared for with other children of the same age group.
5. Children and/or their parents shall be provided with information appropriate to their age and understanding.
6. Children and/or their parents shall be able to participate in all decisions involving their health care and shall be provided with the relevant information for making decisions.
7. Children shall be treated with tact and understanding, and their privacy shall be respected. Children shall be protected from unnecessary medical treatment and shall be given aid in the prevention and relief of physical and emotional distress.
8. Children shall be able to wear their own clothes whenever possible and have their own personal possessions.
9. Children shall be in an environment that is furnished and equipped for their requirements. The setting for the care of children shall conform to recognized standards of safety and supervision.
10. Children shall have the opportunity for play, recreation and education suited to their age and condition.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to:

1. Union Hospital, 18 Fu Kin Street, Tai Wai, Shatin, Hong Kong (Attention: Chief Mediator), or
2. E-mail to pf@union.org

Reference: Children's Charter in Hospital, Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights, May, 1998