Hospitalization: What are the patient's rights?

Verified 09 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Are you staying at a health facility? You should know that you have a number of rights. These rights are defined in the charter of the hospitalized person. Here are some of the most important things to know.

As a patient, you have rights as soon as you are taken care of by a health facility (public or private).

That is, in the event of:

  • Hospitalization within the institution
  • D'home hospitalization
  • For outpatient consultation or in emergencies.

Institutions shall ensure that this Charter or its summary is widely disseminated.

You can for free obtain the charter, without delay, on simple request, from the department responsible for reception.

In addition, this charter is accessible on the website ministry responsible for health.

The Charter Summary:

  • Is included in the welcome booklet that is given to you upon your admission
  • Can be placed on the bedside tables of the rooms
  • Is displayed in the most frequented places of the establishment by users (reception halls, waiting rooms, service corridors, etc. )

The full version of the charter is available in Braille.

The charter of the hospitalized person present all your rights and must be applied in all health facilities (hospitals, clinics...).

Freedom of choice and access to healthcare

You can choose the establishment that will take you in charge, within the limits of the possibilities of each establishment.

Provision must be made for facilities to accommodate physically, mentally or sensorinally handicapped persons.

All facilities guarantee equal access for each person to the care required by their state of health.

FYI  

Access to the hospital public service is guaranteed to the most deprived. If you cannot prove that you are covered by health insurance, or State medical aid, you are covered by the public hospital service for urgent care.

Except in exceptional cases, you may leave the establishment at any time after being informed of the potential risks to which you are exposed.

Right to information and consent to care

The information provided must be accessible and fair. You have direct access to your health information.

You can:

  • Participate in the therapeutic choices that concern you
  • Be assisted by a person of your choice.

A medical procedure may not be carried out only with your free and informed consent.

You have the right to refuse any treatment and to express your wishes regarding the end of life.

There are 2 ways to guarantee the expression of your will:

Please note

if you are involved in biomedical research, you are informed about the expected benefits of this research and the foreseeable risks.

The medical information is integrated into your medical record.

You have access to it. Other persons (your legal representative or, in the event of death, your rights-holders) may also have access to it.

Quality of services (reception and care)

Health facilities should:

  • Guarantee the quality of reception, treatment and care
  • Pay attention to pain relief
  • Ensure everyone a dignified life, with special attention at the end of life.

Right to visits

The health facility guarantees you the right to receive every day any visitor of your choice.

Visitors are not required to inform the establishment in advance of their arrival, unless you wish to do so.

FYI  

a visit may be prohibited if it constitutes a threat to public order or a risk to your health.

This right to visits is also guaranteed if you are end of life (in the advanced or terminal phase of a serious and incurable condition) or if your condition requires palliative care. In these situations, the establishment defines the conditions of these visits to ensure compliance with the instructions to protect your health and that of your visitors.

Respect and confidentiality

You must be treated with care.

Your beliefs (religious, philosophical or political), your privacy and your tranquility must be respected.

The same goes for your privacy.

Your personal, administrative, medical and social data is confidential.

Health care workers are subject to professional secrecy.

In addition to answering the exit questionnaire given with the welcome booklet, you have several ways to publicize the problems you have encountered and seek compensation in the event of damage.

Thus, in each establishment, a user commission ensures that your rights are respected.

In addition, it is possible to enter the Medical Accident Reconciliation and Compensation Commission (CCI) to obtain compensation for your damage.

Finally, recourse to the courts is possible.

FYI  

Actions to bring into question the liability of health professionals or public or private health institutions for preventive, diagnostic or care actions shall be taken every 10 years, starting from consolidation of the damage.