Patient Information

Beaufort and Skipton Health Service are committed to maintaining your privacy and ensuring that you understand your rights and responsibilities.

Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights was developed by the Safety and Quality Commission in 2007 and 2008. In July 2008, Australian Health Ministers endorsed the charter as the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights for use across the country.

The Charter describes the rights that consumers, or someone they care for, can expect when receiving health care. These rights apply to all people in all places where health care is provided in Australia. This includes public and private hospitals, day procedure services, general practice and other community health services.

If you would like further information about your healthcare rights click here.

Open Disclosure

Health service organisations are required to implement open disclosure as part of the Clinical Governance Standard in the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

Open disclosure is the open discussion of adverse events that result in harm to a patient while receiving health care with the patient, their family and carers.

We are committed to implementing open disclosure at Beaufort and Skipton Health Service.

If you would like further information about open disclosure click here.

Protecting your Privacy

We recognise and are committed to the protection of the privacy of patient, resident, client and staff information. The Health Service has policies in place to ensure compliance with the Health Records Act (Victoria) 2001, Privacy Act 2000 and the Information Privacy Act 2000.

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives you the right to access your information held in BSHS’ records.

Requests for access must be made in writing via the Freedom of Information form. A fee may be charged for this service.

To view the Freedom of Information form click here.

Private Patients

Using your private health insurance whilst being treated at Beaufort and Skipton Health Service will entitle you to priority access to a single room with ensuite during your hospital stay. Additionally, you will incur no out-of-pocket expenses for electing to use your private health insurance, and our billing system allows us to automatically process all claims to Medicare and your Health Insurance company on your behalf, meaning you won’t receive any bills relating to your admission.

By choosing to be treated as a private patient, you are helping Beaufort and Skipton Health Service to maintain facilities, provide more equipment and services and make a real contribution to the future of local health services.