Your rights as a patient

When receiving health care in New Brunswick, through a hospital, clinic, or community health service, patients have rights. Care should always feel safe, respectful, and inclusive, with patients involved in decisions about their care.

Being treated with dignity and respect

Everyone has the right to be treated kindly and fairly. This means being respected, not judged or discriminated against, and valued as a person.

Fair and equitable access to health care

Patients cannot be denied services or treated unfairly because of who they are or because of personal characteristics protected from discrimination. Patients have the right to use the same healthcare services available to others, along with any accessibility support or accommodation needed. Healthcare providers must make reasonable efforts to meet these needs unless doing so would cause serious difficulty or hardship.

Being informed and participating in decisions about health care

Patients are partners and decision makers in their care. Every patient has the right to be given information they can understand before making a medical decision. This means working together with the care team, sharing what matters most, and taking part in decisions about health. Care teams provide information, answer questions, and offer support. If a patient is unable to make decisions, a trusted person can be named to decide on their behalf.

Giving and receiving clear information in the official language of choice

Information about health, treatments, and available choices must be given to a patient in a clear, understandable way and in the patient’s preferred official language. Patients also help support safe care by giving the care team accurate information about their health.

Being informed if an incident during your care results in harm or poses an ongoing risk to your safety

Patients have the right to be told if something goes wrong during their care. If a mistake causes harm or could have caused harm and there is an ongoing safety risk, the healthcare team must explain what happened and outline any required follow-up. They may also, if known, describe what is being done to fix the issue and prevent it from happening again.

Everyone has the right to privacy.

Personal health information includes any details that can identify a person and relate to their health, such as health history, test results, medications, and the care received. It also includes Medicare numbers and other information used to register for health services.

This information, including the fact that care was received and the reason for that care, is confidential and shared only with those authorized to access it. The Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act (PHIPAA) sets the rules for how this information must be handled. These rules protect privacy, keep information confidential, and ensure healthcare providers can access the details needed to deliver safe care and improve health services in New Brunswick.

You can learn more about privacy and your rights on the Government of New Brunswick Website on Privacy.

• Supported Decision-Making and Representation Act
• Accessibility Act
• Official Languages Act
• Health Quality and Patient Safety Act
• Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act

Responsibilities and expectations apply to patients, healthcare teams, and healthcare organizations.

Healthcare organizations are responsible for providing access to safe, quality care and protecting personal health information. Healthcare providers listen to patients, so their concerns are heard, and use their training and skills to deliver care to the highest standards.

Patients also play an important role in their care. This includes attending appointments on time, sharing the information the care team needs, asking questions about what matters most, and communicating goals. When everyone participates actively, care becomes safer and better aligned with personal needs.

Your healthcare organization describe these responsibilities and expectations in more detail. Reviewing them can help clarify how care is supported.

• Horizon Health Network — Patient responsibilities and expectations.
• Vitalité Health Network — Patient responsibilities and expectations.
• Extra Mural / Ambulance New Brunswick — Patient responsibilities and expectations.

Patients, clients, and loved ones can share feedback about the care they receive and can expect fair treatment. Feedback helps the health system improve and provide safer care for all.

• Horizon Health Network Patient Relations Department
• Vitalité Health Network — Comments, concerns or complaints
• File a complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick
• File a complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission

• Involuntary hospitalization
• Psychiatric Patient Advocate Services
• Health and disability — Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
• Ombudsman