Rights and advocacy

• Human rights recognise everyone has the right to have the highest possible standard of physical and mental health.
• Advocacy means to promote the cause of interest of someone or a group of people. In this case, the rights to mental health care.

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights outlines the rights of what you or someone you care for can expect using Australia’s healthcare system.

To find out more about your healthcare rights, visit the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality on Healthcare website.

Your rights and responsibilities

Your rights

• Receive quality and professional services.
• Be consulted about your own or your child’s care.
• Receive private and confidential services (except when risk to self, others or abuse is reported) in accordance with the Personal information Protection Act.
• Receive assistance from an interpreter if required.
• Have somebody support you or speak on your behalf – a friend, family member or advocate.
• Provide feedback about the service you are receiving.
• Access information through procedures in the Right to Information Act 2009.

Your responsibilities

• Keep your appointment times or notify your treating facility if you are unable to attend
• Participate in your own or your child’s care and treatment
• Accept consequences of your informed decisions
• Inform your treating facility when contact details change
• Inform your clinician if you are seeking treatment from another service or agency
• Ensure your child’s and your own conduct does not interfere with the rights of other clients or staff.

For more information about your healthcare rights and responsibilities, visit For Patients on our website.

Community engagement and participation

• It is important you are involved in deciding your own healthcare and treatment.
• We encourage you, your family and carers to participate in your health, wellbeing and care.
• This helps achieve a better outcome for you.
• We have three Consumer Community Engagement Councils (CCEC) in Tasmania. 
• They provide a community point of view into how we deliver healthcare services.

How we use and protect your personal information

• As part of delivering your treatment and healthcare, we collect and hold your personal information.
• This is in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004.

To find out about how we use your personal information, download the:

• Personal Information Protection Statement brochure.
• Plain language Personal Information Protection Made Simple brochure.
• Visit the For Patients section of our website.

Where to get more information

Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

The Mental Health Act 2013 provides for the independent statutory positions in Tasmania of:

• Chief Civil Psychiatrist
• Chief Forensic Psychiatrist.

Together with the Mental Health Tribunal and Official Visitors, the Chief Psychiatrists review and oversee how people with mental illness are assessed, treated and cared for in Tasmania.

Find out more about the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

Partnering with Consumers Standard

• The Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Healthcare provide guidance about how you, your family and carers can be actively involved in planning and making decisions about care.
• For more information, download their Partnering with Consumers Standard Fact Sheet.

National Standards for Mental Health Services 2010

• The Australian Government Department of Health have implemented mental health service standards.
• These apply to all mental health services across Australia including our services in Tasmania.
• Download the national standards from the Australian Government Department of Health website.