Your rights and responsibilities

Your rights

Birthcare is bound by the Health and Disability Service Code of Rights. As a Birthcare client you have rights when using our service, these are:

• Respect

You should be treated with respect. This includes respect for your culture, values, and beliefs, as well as your right to personal privacy.

• Fair treatment

No one should discriminate against you, pressure you into something you do not want, or take advantage of you in any way.

• Dignity and Independence

Services should support you to live a full and dignified life.

• Proper Standards

You have the right to be treated with care and skill, and to receive services that reflect your needs. All those involved in your care should work together for you.

• Communication

You have the right to be listened to, understood, and receive information in whatever way you need. When it is necessary and practicable, an interpreter should be available.

• Information

You have the right to have your condition explained, and to be told what your choices are. You can ask any questions to help you to be fully informed.

• It’s your decision – consent

It is up to you to decide. You can change your mind or say no at any time.

• Support

You have the right to have someone with you, to give you support, in most circumstances.

• Teaching and Research

All of these rights also apply if you take part in teaching or research.

• Complaints

It’s okay to complain – complaints help to improve services. It should be easy to complain, it should not have an adverse effect on the way you are treated.

Responsibilities

As a user of our services, we expect to work in partnership with you. To ensure that we work effectively together we expect you to uphold the following responsibilities:

• Familiarise yourself with, and follow, the rules of the unit.
• Provide all relevant health information to the health professionals involved in your care.
• Ask for further clarification if there is any information you do not understand.
• Respect the privacy of other clients and whanau. Keep in confidence any information you may have gained about them.
• Respect other clients’ cultural or religious practices.
• Show consideration to others with regard to noise levels and behaviour of your visitors.
• Tell your LMC or the Unit Manager if you are not satisfied with any aspect of your care.
• Comply with Birthcare’s Smokefree policy.
• Make prompt payment of any charges incurred during your stay.

Privacy

We collect your health information to provide you with appropriate care, to plan and fund health services, to carry out research and teaching, and to monitor and improve the quality of our service. We share your information with other healthcare providers and agencies to assist in the provision of your care. We treat your information as confidential and ensure it is kept secure, and only accessed by authorised persons. You have a right to request access to your records, and to request correction of the information if you believe it is wrong. Information may be supplied to family, support people, or other agencies if you give us permission, or if disclosure is required by law.

Responsibility for Care

Your lead maternity carer (LMC) is responsible for your care throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth. They also care for you and your baby until your baby is six weeks old. Your LMC has the legal, professional and practical responsibility for making sure you and your baby receive appropriate maternity care. 

During your stay at Birthcare, your LMC will continue to hold the ultimate responsibility for your care, they will plan your care accordingly. Birthcare staff will provide postnatal care for you and your baby during your stay, they will consult with your LMC if/when changes are required to the plan of care.