Person Centred Care

At St Vincent’s Health Australia, we believe that working with patients and their families is the key to providing exceptional healthcare. This philosophy is called person-centred care. It means that we involve you in planning and delivering your care, so we can meet your individual needs and preferences.

In providing person-centred care we:

  • recognise that each patient and family is different
  • help you and your family develop healthcare skills and knowledge
  • support you and your family to make decisions about your care
  • respect your choices, values, beliefs and culture.

We hope you will:

  • ask any questions about your care and treatment
  • tell us about any concerns you have
  • get involved in your care, as much as you'd like
  • tell us if you have any special requests for your care and treatment
  • tell us who you want to visit you and when
  • take part in nursing handover and medical rounds
  • tell us what we're doing well and what we could be doing better.

Your rights & responsibilities

The hospital has a responsibility to:   

  • provide you with care in accordance with our values of compassion, justice, human dignity, excellence and unity
  • give you a clear explanation of your condition, problem or disease
  • enable you to participate fully in decisions made about your treatment and care
  • provide you with access to the services of a professional interpreter or Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer, if relevant
  • obtain your informed consent before any treatment begins (except in emergencies)
  • ensure confidentiality about your care in hospital unless the law requires such information be given to some person or authority
  • respond as promptly as possible to any need or concern you may have

Each patient or his/her representative has a responsibility to:

  • provide information relating to your health including past illnesses, stays in hospital and medications
  • cooperate with hospital personnel and ask questions if directions and procedures are not understood
  • tell us if you require the service of an interpreter or Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer
  • follow the prescribed treatment or inform us if you choose not to
  • be considerate of other patients in limiting noise and the number of visitors
  • keep appointments or advise staff if an appointment needs to be changed
  • let hospital staff know if your health changes whilst in our care
  • treat staff with appropriate courtesy and respect at all times

In some areas of St Vincent’s, such as the Mental Health Service, patients have additional rights and responsibilities. Staff in these areas will provide you with this information.