Patients Rights and Responsibilities

Patient Rights

• Receive impartial care that respects your personal values and beliefs, without discrimination.
• Receive medical care in a safe and secure environment.
• Receive immediate care in emergency situations without delay.
• Know the identity (name and specialty) of the doctor responsible for your care.
• Receive comprehensive and understandable information about your condition (treatment plan, benefits, risks, etc.).
• Provide written consent before procedures, after receiving all required information, in order to ensure the patient can freely make an informed decision.
• Participate in decisions about your treatment in collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Expect privacy and confidentiality during all examinations, procedures, and treatments.
• Have the right to refuse treatment after being informed of the consequences and signing a responsibility waiver.
• Access appropriate information about the hospital’s services, performance reviews, and clinical results, when needed, in line with the policies and systems in place.
• Receive proper pain assessment and management using recognized treatment methods, along with sufficient information on the topic.
• Request a second medical opinion in the same facility or outside of it, without fear of that decision affecting your care.

Submit comments, suggestions, or complaints, including concerns regarding quality of care and patient safety, through:

• Website: www.ehs.gov.ae
• Email: info@ehs.gov.ae
• Toll-free: 8008877
• Customer Service sections in the hospitals and centers
• Patients and their families have the right to report any concerns about patient safety or quality of care they receive directly to the Joint Commission International (JCI): https://www.jointcommission.org/en/contact-us/report-a-patient-safety-event

Patients and Families Responsibilities

• Comply with all rules and regulations of the healthcare facility.
• Respect the rights, the comfort, and the privacy of other patients.
• Treat all healthcare staff with courtesy.
• Provide the medical team with complete and accurate information regarding current and past health conditions, previous treatments, and any known allergies.
• Follow the medical instructions and treatment plan prescribed by the attending physician and healthcare team.
• Accept full responsibility in the event of refusing or not adhering to the treatment plan, after being informed of the potential consequences.
• Schedule appointments promptly upon the physician’s request and avoid unnecessary delays.
• Arrive on time for scheduled appointments. If cancellation is necessary, notify facility at least 48 hours in advance.
• Respect the priority given to emergency cases.
• Follow general safety rules, including refraining from smoking, maintaining cleanliness of the facility and proper hand hygiene, and adhering to other safety instructions.
• Settle any outstanding financial obligations to Emirates Health Services (if applicable) in a timely manner.
• Provide the required samples and undergo medical tests at the designated times without delay.
• Preserving the organization’s assets, including buildings, amenities, equipment, and other property.
• Avoid bringing valuable personal belongings to the healthcare facility. In urgent situations, notify the nursing staff and hand over such items in the presence of a security officer, sign the designated form, keep a copy for your records, and verify the official ID of the recipient.