About the HCSCC Charter

About the Charter of Health and Community Services Rights

The Charter will be used by

Consumers

  • to help people to understand their rights when seeking or using a health or community service
  • complaining to a service provider – to help communicate concerns

Service providers

  • to inform consumers about their rights
  • when responding to a complaint – to identify and act on concerns
  • to engage with consumers about service improvements
  • as a person-centred quality improvement tool
  • to report to HCSCC about their complaints and the action taken in response to them

The Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner

  • to provide information, education and advice about the rights of consumers
  • when a complaint is made to HCSCC, to determine if the service provider acted reasonably
  • to monitor and report complaint trends and systemic issues to help improve services

Guiding Principles

The Charter has five guiding principles relevant to all eight rights.

DIVERSITY

South Australian society is made up of people with different cultures, needs, values and ways of life and this is to be recognised and respected.

DECISION MAKING CAPACITY

Some people may have impaired capacity to make decisions due to illness, injury, disability or development. Impaired capacity may be temporary or permanent, partial or complete. If a person has impaired decision-making capacity the service provider should enable supported decision making. If a person has impaired decision-making capacity the service provider must involve or seek the consent of a substitute decision-maker, including a carer. Individuals with impaired decision-making capacity must not be disadvantaged in the provision of health or community services.

PARTNERSHIP

A genuine partnership between consumers, carers and providers promotes safe, high-quality services and the best possible outcomes. This requires sharing relevant information and treating each other with respect.

PROVIDER CONTRIBUTION

Providers of health and community services are recognised for their contribution to the healthcare, well-being and welfare of individuals.

AUTHORITY

Some rights can be affected when legal orders or processes are in place.

What are my rights under the Charter of Health and Community Services Rights?

Access – Right to access health and community services.

I have a right to access health and community services that meet my identified needs.

Safety – Right to be safe from abuse.

I have a right to be safe from abuse, or the risk of abuse, and to have my legal and human rights respected and upheld. I have a right to receive services free from discrimination and harassment.

Quality– Right to high quality services.

I have a right to receive safe, reliable, coordinated services that are appropriate to my needs and provided with care, skill and competence. Services I receive should comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards. Any incidents involving me are managed openly to ensure improvements.

Respect– Right to be treated with respect.

I have a right to be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect. I have a right to receive services that respect my culture, beliefs, values and personal characteristics.

Information – Right to be informed.

I have a right to open, clear and timely communication about services, treatment, options and costs in a way that I can understand. When needed, I have the right to a competent professional interpreter.

Participation – Right to actively participate.

I have a right to be fully involved in decisions and choices about services planned and received. I have a right to support and advocacy so I can participate. I have a right to seek advice or information from other sources. I have a right to give, withhold or withdraw my consent at anytime.

Privacy – Right to privacy and confidentiality.

I have a right to have my privacy respected and my personal information kept confidential and secure. Personal information about me may not be disclosed without my consent, unless the disclosure is required to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, wellbeing, or safety or is required by law. I have a right to request and gain access to my records, unless there is legal restriction in place. I can nominate person/s with whom information can be shared.

Comment – Right to comment and / or complain.

I have a right to be listened to and to comment on, or make a complaint about services sought or provided to me. I have a right to have my complaint dealt with properly and promptly, and without retribution as a result of having made a complaint. I have a right to a representative of my choice to support and advocate for me when making a complaint. My feedback and complaints are managed openly to ensure improvements.

Charter of Health and Community Services Rights brochure

Do download a copy of the Charter brochure, please click here