As a patient at either of the two hospitals, you have the right, consistent with the Bermuda Hospitals Board’s policies to: 1. Understand and use your rights. If you do not understand your right, our staff will help you to understand and use them.

2. Be treated without discrimination of any kind.

3. Know the name and position of the doctors in charge of your care. You have the right to ask for a change of doctor.

4. Know the titles and professions of hospital staff caring for you.

5. Receive all information that you need from appropriate professional staff to give consent for any proposed tests, treatment or operation.

6. Receive from the doctor in charge of your care full details about you diagnosis, treatment and any possible long-term effects of your illness.

7. A second opinion about your condition and the option of requesting assistance to obtain consultation with another physician, if you desire.

8. Request a private duty nurse to supplement your care at your own expense. The nurse must be licensed in Bermuda and trained for the specific duty/area.

9. Be treated in a considerate, confidential and respectful manner.

10. Receive the best possible quality of care in accordance with pre-established standards.

11. Be treated in a clean and safe building.

12. Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law after being informed by the doctor(s) in charge of your care as to what effect this refusal may have on your health.

13. Receive emergency care, if you need it.

14. Be treated with minimum restraints and restrictions.

15. Take part in discussions and decisions with members of the treatment team about your condition, transfer to other hospitals, discharge and/or continuing care requirements following discharge and the means to meet them.

16. Know where you are allowed to smoke.

17. Question care or services directly to the caregiver or to the Department Head. If you are not satisfied with their response, you may write to or telephone the Ombudsman (the official Patient Advocate) at 236-2345 Ext. 1425 and you will receive a verbal/ written response.

18. Obtain from the physician in charge of your care, appropriate information about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, from existing clinical records. When this is not medically advisable, such information can be made available upon request to appropriate person responsible for your care.