On this page, we talk about using health care services.

We also talk about your rights when you use health care services.

On this page:

• When to go to a health care service
• Your health care rights
• How to talk about violence or abuse with a health care service

There are different health care services you can use when you are:

• in pain
• worried about your health.

For example, you can go to:

• hospitals
• doctors
• physiotherapists.

  Physiotherapists can help you:

  • with ways to move your body 
  • get better after an injury.

Visiting a health care service can help you:

• feel better
• understand your health problems
• stop your health problems from getting worse.

You should also go to a health care service if you experience violence or abuse.

A health care service can:

• help you deal with the effects of violence or abuse
• connect you to support services
• teach you ways to keep safe
• help you work out how to leave someone who uses violence or abuse.

You have the right to ask for support at a health care service.

For example, if you need:

• extra time with the doctor
• information printed out, like your health plan
• to bring a support person with you, like an advocate.

  An advocate is someone who can:

  • support people with disability
  • help people with disability have their say
  • give information and advice.

You have the right to ask for information about your healthcare.

This includes information about:

• the medicine you take
• your medical history.

You have the right to get information in a way that you understand.

If you are not sure what the doctor has told you, you can ask them to say it again in a way that is easier to understand.

Health care services should also be accessible.

You have the right to ask the health care service to change things if they are not accessible.

For example, you can ask them for a:

• ramp to enter the building
• bed that moves up and down.

You have the right to feel safe at a health care service.

For example, you can choose a new doctor if you want to

Or you can tell them you want to see a female doctor.

You have the right to make decisions about your healthcare.

And to make sure your healthcare will help you reach your goals.

You have the right to tell the doctor what support you need.

You can find out more on our page about speaking up for yourself.

You have the right to choose who will support you with your healthcare.

For example, a family member to help you with:

• planning your healthcare
• making decisions about your healthcare.

You have the right to privacy.

This means that the health care service cannot share your health information.

You have the right to give feedback to a health care service.

You also have the right to make a complaint about a health care service.

You can talk to the heath service to give feedback.

You can find out more about making complaints about health care services on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.

A health care service might ask you some questions if you are visiting because of violence or abuse.

For example, they might ask:

• Do you feel safe where you live?
• Did someone hurt you on purpose?

You can answer these questions if you feel ready to talk about the violence or abuse.

You can also ask the health care service your own questions.

This will help you understand if you are comfortable telling the health care service about the violence or abuse.

For example, you might ask:

• What do you have to do if I tell you I am experiencing violence or abuse?
• Do you have to report the violence or abuse to the police?
• Will you share the information with the person using violence or abuse?