November 13 to 19 is National Health and Social Services Users’ Rights Week.

Do you know your rights in the health and social services network?

Everyone has the right right to information the existence of services and resources available in the community… and how to access them. (art. 4)

Everyone has the right right to receive services… adequate scientific, human and social aspects with continuity and in a personalized, safe way. (art. 5)

Everyone has the right to choose the professional or establishment... (art. 6)

Everyone… has the right to receive the care that his condition requires. (art. 7)

Every user… has the the right to be informed about your state of health and well-being so as to know, as far as possible, the different options available to him and the risks and consequences generally associated with each of these options before consenting to care concerning him. (art. 8)

No one may be subjected without his or her consent to care of any kind, whether in the form of examinations, sampling, treatment or any other intervention. (art. 9)

All users have the right to participate in any decision affecting their state of health or well-being. (art. 10)

Every user has the right to be accompanied and assisted by a person of his/her choice when he/she wishes to obtain information or undertake a procedure relating to a service provided… (art. 11)

Every English-speaking person has the right to receive services in the English language… (art. 15)

Nothing in this Act limits the right of a person or his assigns tobring an action against an institution, its directors, employees or servants or a professional for professional or other misconduct. Such recourse cannot be waived. (art. 16)

All users aged 14 and over have the right to access their file. (art. 17 to 28)

A user’s file is confidential and no one may have access to it without the consent of the user or the person authorized to give consent on his or her behalf. (art 19)

source : Quebec Act respecting health services and social services (chap. S-4.2)

Contact CAAP Montérégie for information on your rights or for assistance in filing a complaint with the complaints commissioner.