The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities

The rights and responsibilities of everyone
who uses the NHS in Scotland.

Giving feedback or making a complaint about the NHS

Confidentiality - it's your right

Consent - it's your decision

How you should be involved in decisions about your health care and

treatment.

How to see your health records

Your right to see and have a copy of your health records.

Health care for people coming to Scotland to work

Health care for people coming to Scotland to study

Health care for asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland

Health care in Scotland for former UK residents now working abroad

Health care in Scotland for UK passport holders living abroad

Health care for UK pensioners visiting Scotland

Health care in Scotland for holidaymakers from overseas

Consent - your rights

How you should be involved in decisions about your health care and

treatment.

(This is a guide for under 16s.)

Confidentiality - your rights

How the health service keeps information about you private.  

(This is a guide for under 16s.)

Have your say! - your right to be heard

How to give feedback or make a complaint about the NHS.  

(This is a guide for young people of all ages.)

Caring and consent

Your right to be involved in decisions about the health care of the

adult you care for (this is a guide for paid and unpaid carers of

all ages).

When someone has died - information for you

Information to help you through the first few days after a death.

eHealth – using computers to improve your healthcare

This leaflet tells you how eHealth will affect the service you receive from the NHS, how your information will be stored and shared safely and legally and what may happen in the future.

• watch the eHealth animated film clip as MOV | WMV | MP4

How to use the health service in Scotland

This is a clear and simple guide to the NHS in Scotland. It includes information about family doctors (GPs), dentists, opticians, pharmacists, and out-of-hours services.

• The videos on the DVD are available in 17 languages, including English and British Sign Language (BSL).

• You can view the videos on the website (www.how-to-use-the-nhs.com) and you can also order the DVD, free of charge, by visiting the website or by calling the NHS inform Helpline on 0800 22 44 88.

Information about primary care services

These leaflets tell you about developments within some

primary care services.

• Getting NHS dental treatment in Scotland
  
• The Minor Ailment Service at your local pharmacy
• Your guide to free NHS eye examinations in Scotland
• The NHS Chronic Medication Service
  

New medicines in Scotland – who decides what the NHS can provide?

The process medicines go through before NHS doctors in Scotland can routinely prescribe them.

Your emergency care summary

This leaflet tells you about changes in the way your medical

information is used and stored. It focuses on something called

the emergency care summary which is designed to ensure safer

medical care when GP surgeries are closed.

Circumcision and your child

This leaflet is for parents and describes how religious male  

circumcision is arranged by the NHS in Scotland.

It's okay to ask!

This leaflet gives useful tips and questions you can ask during health care appointments, helping you to play an active part in your care and treatment.