What are my rights?
There are 13 rights in the Patient Bill of Rights. Here they are put into plain language.
Right #1 – No abuse
You have the right to be treated politely and with respect. And you have the right to be free from physical, sexual, mental, emotional, verbal, and financial abuse.
Right #2 – Privacy and choices
You have the right to have your dignity and privacy respected.
Care providers should promote your independence. And they should let you take part in decisions about your care as long as you are mentally capable.
For example, they should:
- ask your permission before entering your home
- not look through your things or open your mail unless you ask them to
- consult with you before making decisions about your care
Right #3 – Needs and preferences
You have the right to receive services in a way that respects who you are and is sensitive to what you prefer, based on your race, religion, language, family background, and culture.
For example, you may want to eat or dress a certain way because of your culture or religion.
Right #4 – Freedom from discrimination
You have the right to receive services that do not discriminate against you for any reason listed in the Ontario Human Rights Code or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
These reasons include your race, ancestry, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital or family status, disability, or record of offences.
Right #5 – Right to cultural safety
If you are First Nations, Metis, or Inuk, you have the right to receive services in a way that is culturally safe.
The service provider needs to respect your culture and help you feel safe when you are receiving care.
Right #6 – Right to information
You have the right to information about your services that is clear and that you can understand.
This includes:
- who is managing your services
- who will provide the services, the agency they work for, how to contact them, and when they will come
- what services you will get and for how many hours
If you have trouble seeing or hearing, or if you speak a different language, you must get the information in a way that lets you understand it.
Right #7 – Take part in decisions
You have the right to take part in deciding what services you need, and how and when you get them. Your care co‑ordinator should talk with you about:
- what services you need, and
- any changes to the plan that sets out what services you receive.
Right #8 – Have someone with you for assessments
You have the right to say who you want to be with you when your care co-ordinator talks to you about what services you need. This could be a family member, a friend, or someone else who you trust and think will help you.
Right #9 – Have someone with you for care planning
You also have the right to say who you want to be with you when the plan for your care is being developed, evaluated, or changed. This person can speak for you, make suggestions, or give other input.
Right #10 – Help to co-ordinate your services
If you are getting more than one service, you have the right to get help from an HSP or OHT to co-ordinate your services.
This could mean making sure that:
- services are not scheduled at the same time,
- you get the help you need so you can get to a service on time, or
- you get the services in the right order.
Right #11 – Accept or refuse services
You have the right to accept or refuse any services that your care co-ordinator, a doctor, or another care provider says would be good for you.
If you are not happy with your care provider or the agency they work for, you can refuse their services.
Right #12 – Complain without being punished
You have the right to raise any concerns you have about your services with your care providers, people who work for the government, or anyone else.
And no one can punish you, refuse to give you services, or take away services because you have complained. This includes asking for changes in your services.
Right #13 – Legal information
You have the right to information about the laws, rules, and policies that affect how your services are provided.
If you ask, agencies that provide you with services must tell you, in writing, how to:
- make a complaint
- appeal a decision they make about your services