Canossa Hospital (Caritas)
Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities

The purpose of this Charter is to explain your rights and responsibilities as a patient. Understanding these helps build a cooperative and trusting relationship between you and your health care providers, enhancing the effectiveness of care.

Patients’ Rights

1. Right to Medical Treatment

You have the right to receive safe, professional and timely medical advice and treatment that meet currently accepted standards of care and quality. You have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.

2. Right to Information

You have the right to clear and accurate information about:

• The health care services available and the charges involved.
• Your medical condition, diagnosis, prognosis, and proposed treatment, including common risks and alternatives.
• The name, purpose and possible side‑effects of prescribed medications.
• Access to medical information, including medical reports or copies of medical records in accordance with hospital procedures.
• The name, rank and professional role of staff providing care.

3. Right to Choices

You have the right to:

• Accept or refuse any medication, investigation or treatment, and be informed of the likely consequences.
• Seek a second medical opinion.
• Choose whether to participate in medical research or clinical teaching activities.
• Request referral options when clinically appropriate.

4. Right to Privacy, Dignity and Confidentiality

You have the right to have your privacy, dignity, cultural and religious beliefs respected, provided this does not cause harm to others. You have the right to have information relating to your medical condition kept confidential, except where disclosure is required by law or necessary for your care.

5. Right to Safety and Protection

You have the right to care in a safe environment and to be protected from harm, abuse or neglect. Vulnerable patients — including children, older persons and persons with disabilities — have the right to additional protection and support.

6. Right to Complaint

You have the right to make a complaint through the channels provided by the Hospital, and to have your concerns handled promptly, fairly and without discrimination.

7. Personal Data Protection

Canossa Hospital (Caritas) is committed to protecting your personal data and handling it in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong.

How your personal data may be used

Your personal data, including health information, may be used for:

• Providing medical and health‑care services.
• Arranging investigations, treatment, referrals and follow‑up care.
• Hospital operations, billing, payment processing and service improvement.
• Quality assurance, clinical audit and risk management.
• Compliance with legal requirements or requests from law enforcement or regulatory bodies.

Possible data recipients

Your personal data may be disclosed to the following parties when necessary:

• Your attending doctor and authorised hospital staff.
• Other health‑care professionals involved in your care.
• Third‑party service providers supporting hospital operations.
• Courts, law enforcement agencies or persons authorised by law.

All recipients must handle your data confidentially and in accordance with applicable laws and hospital policies.

Access and correction

You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal data in accordance with the Ordinance and hospital procedures.

Patients’ Responsibilities

1. Provide Accurate Information

Provide complete and truthful information about your health, past illnesses, allergies and all medications, including non‑hospital drugs, supplements, herbs and alternative therapies.

2. Follow the Agreed Treatment Plan

Follow the treatment plan agreed with your doctor and comply with instructions provided. Ask questions whenever you do not understand your care.

3. Respect Others

Respect the rights, privacy and safety of other patients and health care providers by following hospital rules and maintaining courteous behaviour.

4. Attend Appointments

Keep your appointments and notify the hospital or clinic as early as possible if you are unable to attend.

5. Do Not Request False Information

Do not ask health care providers to issue incorrect information, receipts, certificates or to make inaccurate entries in medical records.

6. Use Medical Resources Responsibly

Avoid unnecessary use or wastage of medical resources.

7. Safeguard Personal Belongings

Keep good custody of your personal belongings and valuables.

8. Settle Fees and Charges

Be responsible for meeting the required fees and charges for the medical services provided to you. Consult your insurer to understand the scope of coverage of your medical insurance policy.