Patient rights?

Question

I am a mentally ill patient, how do I find out or does anyone know anything about my patient rights please

Answer 1

They are State specific. The Health and Human Services Department for your State will have them as part of their Administrative Code for the type of facility you are seeking treatment from.
So online go to the home page for your State, find the Health and Human Services section, you should be able to find general patient rights information. In addition, there is information in the individual sections per provider type (hospital, home health, nursing home) of the rules that they are required to abide by.

Answer 2

If you live in Britain you can contact Mind and they should be able to put you in touch with a local advocate that will tell you or supply you with information about them. Minds Information line number is: 0845 766 01 63.

They also have a legal Line that gives you free information relating to mental health matters and you can ask them more specific details as we are unaware of what exacty you require - perhapes you just want, and sensible and all, a full list of these so you know if what is being done is correct. You usually have to wait in a cue for around 30 minutes but it's free and the only cost to you is the call. The number is: 02085 192 122. Ask to be put through to the legal line when they answer. It is open, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 2 - 4.30pm.

Answer 3

Yes! It depends in relation to what but below are some of the guides to the mental health act which may be useful. If you could be more specific it might be helpful.

It also seems that perhaps you feel quite threatened at the moment and need to establish what people can and cannot do to you. Is there anyone involved in your care whom you trust enough to ask about this? There is a consensus within mental health that the best and most effective ways to work with someone to get better is with their cooperation.

Anyway you asked for info, this is what I could find

http://www.mentalhealth.harpweb.org.uk/content.php?section=rights&content=b

http://www.hyperguide.co.uk/mha/

this one is the MIND guide http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Legal/OGMHA.htm

f you want to try to look for some sites yourself try googling Mental Health Act service users

There used to be a brilliant site by a guy called mark walton. I usewd to use it a lot as a lecturer but it may be out of date now.

the mind guide and the hyperguide should have links to keep them updated.

If you have a CPN or a nurse/ doctor contact in hospital they should also be able to discuss any worries you may have.

hope some of this helps!

Answer 4

Hi

Please try this link to the Mind website:

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Rights+guide/index.htm

it will take you to the index of their "rights guide", so you can then pick which one or ones are relevant to you.

I would also suggest seeing if there is a mental health charity in your area, follow this link:

http://www.mind.org.uk/Mind+in+your+area/

they are easy to access, you can give them a ring because you don't need to be referred by anyone else.

They are used to dealing with mental health issues on a daily basis, and have a great deal of knowledge and understanding. Also, they are much less formal than the health professionals and some people find that is better for them.

They will either be able to help you themselves, or if not, they will be able to point you in the direction of someone who can.

Hopes this helps.

Take care and good luck.

Additional information:

New legislation has just been passed.

Mental Capacity Act 2007

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/YourRightsInHealth/DG_10016888

http://www.mind.org.uk/News+policy+and+campaigns/Policy/Mental+Capacity.htm

I've just added these in case they might be relevant to you, I wouldn't want you to be unaware of the new law.

Answer 5

. AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Mental Health Patient's Bill of Rights
This Bill of Rights, developed and supported by fifteen professional organizations, sets forth fundamental principles necessary to ensure quality mental health care and protect the rights of those seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment. Patients/clients and practitioners are encouraged to examine their insurance coverage and managed care plans in light of these principles.

IN CANADA check out link below...(IN SOURCE)

Answer 6

Download a copy of the patients associations - patients rights charter here http://www.patients-association.org.uk/publications_level2.asp?level2_ID=252.
If there is something specific you need to knwo regarding a particular situation let us know - we will try to help you.

Answer 7

this all depends on of you are an inpatient or not?

if you are, you can have your rights restricted under the mental health act. you can read about the act by doing a google search.

if you are not patient in a hospital setting you will have the same human and civil rights as Joe bloggs. b

but please bear in mind that if doctors and other health professionals are offering you advice, please always let it digest and give suggestions some thought. when one is suffering from mental health problem, it can often seam the world is against you......

also follow this link


http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/PublicationsAndStatistics/Legislation/ActsAndBills/DH_4002034

(copy and paste into your browser)

Answer 8

That is hard to say, and it depends on the disease. However any poorly controlled mental disease affects your relation with your environment. You have to show that your reasoning ability is OK now and that your disease is controlled to get your full patient rights. Some of them are:

The chance to comment, ask for, accept or reject a treatment on yourself.
To receive any requested info about your disease or clinical file.
Choose your own physician
To be treated with dignity and respect.

In the case of people that cannot reason by themselves or are minors, a representative decides about the treatment or receives the information.

Answer 9

Why are people who ask for further understanding of the question getting thumbs down? Your queston is very wide ranging and hard to answer without precise details! My advice is to contact the organisation MIND and ask for specific advice there. Of course you have rights but without knowing your specific situation unable to help on here. I do, however, hope you get the answers you are looking for.

Answer 10

That depends on the country your living in, the local health care policy as well as your medical history.

You should discuss in the first instance the issues that your worried about with your Doctor who can arrange further discussion with their in house mental health nurse / adviser.