Patient/Client/Resident Rights

Mature couple smiling

You have the Right to All of the Following*…

Personal Rights

  • Be cared for in a safe and clean environment by competent health care professionals;
  • Be free from chemical and physical restraints and involuntary seclusion (unless medically necessary);
  • Be free from abuse, neglect and harassment. This includes physical, mental, emotional or financial abuse;
  • Have staff make fair and reasonable decisions about your treatment and care;
  • Participate in religious services and social, recreational and community activities to the extent possible;
  • Be paid, with some exceptions, for any work you do;
  • Make your own decisions about things like getting married, voting and writing a will, if you are over the age of 18 and have not been found legally incompetent;
  • Be given the chance to exercise and go outside for fresh air regularly and frequently, except for health and safety concerns;
  • Receive treatment in a safe, psychologically and physically humane environment;
  • Be treated with dignity. We will respect your cultural and personal values, beliefs and preferences;
  • Not have your care affected by your race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, illness, handicap or ability to pay; and
  • Contact a family member or representative and your personal physician to notify them of your admission, or have a staff member do so on your behalf. You may refuse to have others contacted.

Treatment Rights

  • Staff involved in your care will introduce themselves to you and explain what they are going to do;
  • You must be provided prompt and adequate treatment, rehabilitation and educational services appropriate to you;
  • You must be allowed to participate in the planning of your treatment and care;
  • You must be informed of your treatment and care, including alternatives to and possible side effects/ risks of treatment or medications;
  • You have the right to refuse treatment or medication unless it is needed in an emergency to prevent serious physical harm to you or others, or a court orders it. [If you have a guardian, however, your guardian may consent to treatment and medications on your behalf.]
  • You may not be given unnecessary or excessive medication;
  • You have the right to leave against physician’s order unless under a legal hold;
  • You may not be subject to electroconvulsive therapy or any drastic treatment measures such as psychosurgery or experimental research without your written informed consent;
  • You must be informed, in writing, of any costs of your care and treatment for which you or your relatives may have to pay;
  • You must be treated in the least restrictive manner and setting necessary to achieve the purposes of admission to the program, within the limits of available funding; and
  • You have the right to formulate Advanced Directives.

Communication and Privacy Rights

  • You may call or write to public officials or your attorney;
  • You may not be filmed, taped or photographed unless you agree to it;
  • You may send and receive private mail;
  • You may use a telephone when you wish;
  • You may see visitors and designate who may visit;
  • You must be provided privacy when you are in the bathroom and while receiving care for personal needs;
  • You may use and wear your own personal articles and clothing;
  • You must be given the opportunity to wash your clothes;
  • You may use your own money as you choose, within some limits;
  • Your treatment information is kept confidential unless the law permits disclosure;
  • Your records may not be released without your consent, unless the law specifically allows for it; and
  • You may ask to see your records.

*Unless your or others’ safety or security is at risk.

Please note: For children and adolescents receiving mental health treatment, please see these additional rights brochures: Inpatient Mental Health or Outpatient Mental Health.

For your convenience, please download a copy of the North Central Health Care Patient/Client/Residents Rights and Responsibilities Brochure.