Cap. 528 Art. 27Patients rights.

(1) It shall be the right of every patient:

(a) to receive healthcare in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(b) to receive information concerning the state of his health and the health services and treatments available;

(c) to be provided in advance with clear information on the treatment options available and to be involved in discussions and decisions about the treatment to be given;

(d) to access his medical records in accordance with the Data Protection Act, provided this is not to the detriment of his overall well-being;

(e) to have his medical data processed in conformity with the Data Protection Act;

(f) to refuse treatment that is offered to him, provided such refusal is endorsed by his signature;

(g) to be seen and treated without excessive or undue delay;

(h) to file a complaint about services received and be informed of the outcome of the investigation of his complaint in a timely manner;

(i) to appeal in respect of any decision taken under this Act to the Administrative Review Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative

Justice Act and any applicable regulations made thereunder.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-article (1) and notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, a person who has attained the age of fourteen (14) years shall have the right to consent to, or refuse, medical attention, care or treatment if the medical practitioner is of the opinion that such person has sufficient maturity and understanding to so consent or refuse: Provided that where the medical practitioner is of the opinion that the said person lacks the maturity and understanding to consent to or to refuse treatment, the consent of the person having parental or other legal authority over such person shall be required:

Provided further that where the medical practitioner is of the opinion that the said person has sufficient maturity and understanding to consent to treatment but refuses such treatment, the treatment may still be given if the medical practitioner is of the opinion that the treatment is urgently required in the best interest of the said person.

(3) For the purposes of sub-article (2), after a medical practitioner shall have certified that a person as referred to in the said sub-article has sufficient maturity and understanding to consent to treatment, other healthcare professionals regulated by the Health Care Professions Act shall be considered to be authorised to participate in the medical attention, care or treatment and in the healthcare plan decided by the medical practitioner by offering and administering those services, benefits, interventions and treatments required by the said person without the need for any further authorisation in that respect.

(4) In this article any reference to treatment shall be deemed to include a reference to psychiatric treatment, counselling, therapy, social work and youth work.