Patient rights and responsibilities

Everyone using NHS services in Scotland has rights and responsibilities. They are based on dignity, fairness, informed choice, confidentiality and mutual respect.

Your rights

When using our services, you have the right to:

• be treated with dignity, compassion and respect, without unlawful discrimination;
• receive safe and appropriate care based on clinical need;
• receive information in a way you can understand and ask questions about your care;
• be involved in decisions and give or withhold consent, except where the law provides otherwise;
• ask about reasonable alternatives and request a second opinion where appropriate;
• privacy and confidentiality, and to know how your information is used;
• reasonable adjustments and communication support where needed;
• access your health information, subject to legal safeguards;
• give feedback, raise a concern or complain without this affecting your future care.

Your responsibilities

Patients, carers and visitors can help us provide safe and fair services by:

• treating staff and other patients with courtesy and respect;
• giving accurate information and telling us when contact details, medication or circumstances change;
• taking part in decisions and asking when something is unclear;
• following agreed treatment or telling the clinician if you cannot do so;
• ordering medication in good time and using NHS services responsibly;
• attending appointments on time or cancelling as early as possible;
• using urgent and emergency services only when appropriate;
• respecting confidentiality and privacy in the waiting room and other shared spaces.

Responsibilities do not reduce your right to necessary care. We will consider disability, communication needs, distress, mental health, capacity and other individual circumstances.

If your rights are not respected

Tell a member of the team, contact the Practice Manager, or use our feedback and complaints procedure. Independent help is available through the Patient Advice and Support Service.

Common questions