We respect the rights of all our patients. In return, we ask that you co-operate with us by fulfilling your responsibilities. Please approach our staff if you need any assistance.

As a CGH patient, you have the right to:

1. Be treated with dignity and respect

• Receive appropriate and professional health care regardless of your age, gender, race, religion, nationality, social status, physical or mental handicap.
• Be treated with respect and dignity
• Meet and talk with family, friends and other visitors during visiting hours unless advised otherwise by your doctor or unless such rights are restricted in accordance with prevailing guidelines such as those implemented to control the transmission of infectious diseases. You also have the right to refuse visitors.
• Make an Advance Medical Directive or to appoint a representative to make your healthcare decisions. The hospital will respect your known wishes, to the extent permitted by the law and the hospital. (An Advance Medical Directive is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor/s treating you, in the event that you become terminally ill and unconscious, that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong your life.)
• Receive a detailed explanation about any research study that you may be invited to participate in. You may refuse to participate in or withdraw from any research study without affecting the level of care you receive.

2. Participate in decisions involving your medical condition

• Participate in decisions involving your medical condition and potential treatment.
• Seek a second medical opinion.
• Refuse medical care or recommended treatment to the extent permitted by law. However, in refusing treatment, you will have to accept the responsibility for any medical consequences resulting from your decision. (You will be briefed on the possible medical consequences.)
• Give consent to procedures that are not part of routine investigations.

3. Receive information and explanation about your medical condition by your health care providers

• Be informed about your medical condition, treatment and possible results in a language that you understand (where possible).
• Be informed about the possible risks, side effects and alternative methods of treatment.
• Be provided with the necessary information to make a meaningful decision.
• Have access to people and information about health education, self-care and prevention of illness
• Always clarify any procedure being carried out for you.

4. Know the names and roles of your health care providers

• Know the names and the roles of the doctor/s and healthcare staff in charge of your treatment and care.

5. Privacy, confidentiality of your medical records and safety

• Have your medical information at the hospital kept private and confidential. Except where required by law, it is against our hospital’s policy to share your medical information with anyone else not involved with your care, without your permission.
• Have your medical records accessed only by those involved in your care and those monitoring the quality of medical services. All information and records regarding your care will be kept confidential.
• A discharge summary in accordance to the hospital’s policy.
• Have your medical records kept in a safe and protected environment.

6. Give us feedback

• Tell us when there are areas we can improve on. If you present feedback, your care will not be affected in any way.

Your responsibilities are to:

1. Provide information about yourself

• Provide complete and accurate information relevant to your health, including present condition, past illness, past hospitalisation and medication.
• Notify the hospital and the healthcare staff about specific decisions you may have taken for example, with regards to the continuation of medical treatment.
• Inform the doctor/s of any changes in your health status.
• Permit the hospital to obtain your medical records from other hospitals and clinics.

2. Follow the doctor’s recommended treatment plan

• Follow the doctor’s treatment plan and inform us if you face any difficulty.
• Tell us if you have any concerns about the treatment or if you have deviated from the treatment plan in any way.
• Think carefully before deciding to refuse treatment

3. Show respect and consideration to our staff and patients

• Respect the privacy of our patients.
• Show respect and consideration to our staff
• Be punctual for your appointments. If you need to cancel your appointment, please let us know early.
• Follow the hospital’s policies.
• Treat the hospital’s equipment and facilities with care.
• Be responsible for your own valuables. In fact, we discourage you from bringing them with you to the hospital.

4. Ensure your bills are paid

• Ensure that your hospital bills are paid. If you have difficulty paying these bills, please consult our medical social workers for help.