Patients' Rights

 

The patient has the right to be treated with respect for his or her human dignity;

The patient has the right to respect for his/her cultural, philosophical and religious beliefs;

The patient has the right to receive health care appropriate to his/her state of health, including preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care;

The patient has the right to continued care;

The patient has the right to be informed about the health services available, their competences and levels of care;

The patient has the right to be informed about his/her health condition, diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic options;

The patient has the right to obtain a second opinion on his/her health status;

The patient has the right to give or refuse consent before any medical act, as well as before participating in research or clinical teaching;

The patient has the right to confidentiality of all clinical and identifying information concerning him/her;

The patient has the right to access their data recorded in the clinical file;

The patient has the right to privacy when carrying out any medical procedure;

The patient has the right to present suggestions and complaints, in person or through a representative.

 

Duties of Patients

 

The patient has a duty to take care of his/her health, adopting measures that contribute to his/her recovery and actively participating in the promotion of individual and community health;

The patient has a duty to provide healthcare professionals with all relevant information for a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment;

The patient has a duty to respect the rights and privacy of other patients;

The patient has the duty to collaborate with health professionals, following the medical recommendations that he has freely accepted;

The patient has a duty to comply with the operating rules of health services;

Patients have a duty to use health services responsibly and to contribute to reducing waste and unnecessary expenses.

 

More general information at:

• Law No. 15/2014, of March 21 – Patients’ Rights and Duties Charter

• Legal Framework for the Rights and Duties of NHS Users

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Health Regulatory Authority (ERS)

• Directorate-General for Health (DGS)