Respecting Patient Privacy and Dignity in NSW Health
Welcome | What we are doing to improve Patient Privacy & Dignity | 1. Make patients and their carers feel welcome | 2. Communicate frequently with patients and carers | 3. Protect patient privacy during consultation and treatment | 4. Respect the special needs of dying patients, the critically ill and their carers | 5. Respect cultures and beliefs | 6. Manage noise for patient comfort | 7. Aim to have patients in same gender rooms and ward bays | 8. Provide single gender bathroomsWelcome
We are focusing on eight important areas to improve your experiences as a patient in the NSW public health system. These eight areas are what you, as patients, have told us are important to you. When you are in our care we will be doing our utmost to provide you with privacy and dignity.
What we are doing to improve Patient Privacy & Dignity
We are focusing on eight important areas to improve your experiences as a patient in the NSW public health system. These eight areas are what you, as patients, have told us are important to you. When you are in our care we will be doing our utmost to provide you with privacy and dignity.
1. Make patients and their carers feel welcome
When you arrive on the ward you will see a poster that tells you who the Nurse or Midwife in charge of your ward is and their contact number. You will be greeted by ward staff, who will admit you to the ward and make you feel welcome. All staff wear name badges so you will know who everybody is and their role
2. Communicate frequently with patients and carers
Our doctors, nurse and allied health staff will make time to talk with you regularly and involve you in your care. If you want to talk with your doctor or any other person delivering care to you, please ask the ward staff and they will make every effort to arrange it for you.
3. Protect patient privacy during consultation and treatment
Staff will make every effort to maintain your privacy during consultation and treatment. Curtains, doors and window blinds will be closed and empty offices or consultation rooms may also be used. Sometimes we may ask your visitors to leave during your treatment, this is because we respect your privacy dignity. If at any time you feel concerned, please ask the person attending you to meet your privacy needs.
4. Respect the special needs of dying patients, the critically ill and their carers
Dying patients, the critically ill and their carers have very special needs. If you or your family are facing such an experience, the staff are there to help you in any way they can. We will also consider your needs, if you are near a dying patient, as we recognise this can be distressing.
5. Respect cultures and beliefs
Your religious or faith traditions will be respected at all times. Staff have information regarding cultural, religious or faith tradition support and also interpreters, so please do not hesitate to ask if you need any assistance. We in turn ask, that as a patient you respect the religious or faith traditions of others sharing the ward with you.
6. Manage noise for patient comfort
It's up to all of us to help control the noise. Staff will try and keep their voices low, especially at night and we will courteously manage noise made by patients, carers, visitors and staff.
We know you need the support and encouragement of your family and friends to assist you. Rest and recuperation is also vital. This is why we have specific visiting hours at all hospitals. Sometimes we may ask your visitors to leave outside these hours. This is because we respect your need for privacy and dignity. Visitors must always respect the privacy and dignity of other patients and keep noise to a minimum. Visiting children must always be accompanied by a parent or carer.
7. Aim to have patients in same gender rooms and ward bays
We have set ourselves the target of ensuring that all patients (except in exceptional circumstances) staying overnight or more in a NSW Public Hospital will be in a same gender room or ward bay within 24 hours.
Sometimes same gender rooms or ward bays cannot be immediately provided. In such cases, the nurse looking after you will let you know when they anticipate a same gender room or ward bay will be available.
Every effort will be made to rectify the situation, and if it still can't be avoided the nurse looking after you will inform you of other options that are available.
You may be required to move from a single room or your ward bed to provide same gender rooms or ward bays, and also to accommodate patients with special care needs.
There are some situations (i.e. when you may need very specialised or urgent care) where providing fast and safe care may take priority over ensuring same gender room or ward bay. This may occur in specialised care environments, emergency situations and in our critical care areas (intensive care units, high dependency units, emergency departments, theatre recovery units, etc).
If you are unhappy with any aspect of your care please ask to speak to the nurse in charge. If you do not feel that they are resolving your concerns, a 'Mixed Gender Toll Free Line'
has been established for you: Call 1800 700 830
8. Provide single gender bathrooms
Every effort will be made to provide you access to a same gender bathroom and every effort will be made to ensure that you don't have to walk through an opposite sex area to reach your own bathroom.
If you are staying overnight or more in a NSW Public Hospital you will be given a brochure containing all the above information. Or you can download the Respecting Patient Privacy and Dignity in NSW Health patient brochure now.