At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre it is important for patients to know, understand, and apply their rights and responsibilities.

Patient Rights

You have the right to:

• Be treated with respect to reflect your dignity, individuality and cultural background.
• Privacy for your personal needs.
• Be given information to help you understand your medical condition.
• Take part in decisions about your care.
• Get a clear explanation of your treatment(s) and test(s) including benefits, risks and other ways to treat your illness.
• Refuse any recommended treatment(s), and to be told about what could happen if you do refuse the treatment(s).
• Have any information about you kept confidential.
• Know the name and profession of people caring for you.
• Tell us any concerns you have about your treatment and care. (see Complaint Process)
• Have us help you with any special needs.

Patient Responsibilities

You have the responsibility to:

• Give correct information.
• Be actively involved in your care and treatment.
• Take part in planning for your follow-up care either at TBRHSC or in the community.
• Be polite to staff, other patients, and families.
• Take care of your own personal things and your valuables.
• Tell a staff member as soon as possible about any concerns or complaints.
• Tell us if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment(s).

Patient Compliment or Complaint Process

If you wish to make a complaint about anything that has happened to you, or if you wish to point out something that has pleased you, while a patient of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, there are a number of choices available:

• Tell a staff member who is with you and ask for a response
• Ask to speak with a Department Manager
• Ask to speak with the Director of Patient Care Services or VP Clinical
• Write out your concern/complaint or compliment and either:
  
  Place it in a suggestion box located in a near-by waiting room or admission desk
  
  OR
  
  Mail it to:
  Ron Saddington - President & Chief Executive Officer
  Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
  980 Oliver Road
  Thunder Bay, Ontario
  P7B 6V4

Any signed written concerns will receive a written answer within 14 working days. All complaints will be handled confidentially and will not affect your care and treatment.