Patient Rights Policy

Within Australia, the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (ACHR) applies to the entire healthcare system, and it allows patients, consumers, families, carers and healthcare providers to have a common understanding of the rights of people receiving healthcare. The rights included in the ACHR relate to access, safety, respect, communication, participation, privacy and comment.

The rights and responsibilities of people receiving healthcare

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd has developed the following charter of patient rights consistent with the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights.

Appointments

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd aims to provide patients with appointments to meet their treatment needs. It is requested that patients make an agreed appointment time and date to assist the scheduling process, notifying the practice where this appointment cannot be met. To assist them in providing us with this information, we contact patients by one of the following or a combination of the following methods (varies per practice):

• Telephone call reminder
• SMS reminder
• Email reminder
• Postal reminder

The cancellation policy of NDC Service Co Pty Ltd requires 24 hours’ notice for cancellation of an appointment. It is at the operator, senior dentist or practice manager’s discretion as to whether a deposit may be charged for long appointments or in lieu of a cancellation fee for patients who repeatedly fail to show or reschedule their visits.

In the event we are unable to accommodate a patient’s request for an appointment at a specific time/date, we will either suggest another time, another practitioner or another practice to best assist the patient.

Appointments outside of business hours:

If you have a dental emergency or need dental advice outside of business hours, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Safety

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd aims to provide appropriate dental services in a safe, secure and supportive environment. We encourage patients and staff to raise any concerns they may have. If a concern is raised, all staff and management are required to address the concern as soon as possible.

All patients are required to complete a full medical and medication history as accurately and completely as possible, to allow staff to identify any circumstances that may increase the risks associated with dental care.

In the unlikely occurrence of an adverse event, dental practitioners at NDC Service Co Pty Ltd have a responsibility to be open and honest in communications with the patient involved, and families or carers if applicable.

It is the responsibility of the registered dental practitioner, in accordance with the Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct for Registered Health Practitioners, to explain to the patient what happened and why, as well as offering support and advice with regard to how the situation can best be resolved or managed.

Open disclosure

Upon recognising the occurrence of an adverse event, the dental practitioner will follow our Open Disclosure Process, which aligns with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare’s Open Disclosure Framework, as outlined below:

• Act immediately to rectify the problem, if possible, including seeking any necessary help and advice.
• Explain to the patient, in sufficient detail, so the patient understands what has occurred, including the anticipated short-term and long-term consequences.
• Acknowledge any patient distress and provide appropriate support.
• Develop a future management plan for the patient if required.
• Ensure that the patient has access to information about the process for making a complaint.

Sufficient detail is to be recorded in patient records to reflect the information provided to the patient about the incident, associated risks and likely consequences. The dental practitioner will notify the occurrence of the adverse event to their professional indemnity insurer, consistent with the clauses of their policy.

Respect

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd values all patients as a unique person and hope that at all times we can provide dental treatment in a manner that is respectful of their culture, beliefs, values and personal characteristics. Patients are asked to reciprocate this respect by being mindful of all staff at NDC Service Co Pty Ltd and other patients.

Communication and decision making

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd respects the patient’s right to receive adequate information to make informed decisions regarding their health and healthcare. Consequently, all staff should continually demonstrate a commitment to providing patients with accessible and understandable information about their treatment and treatment options, including costs, proposed medications and risks involved. This should also include maintaining suitable evidence that patients are fully informed about their proposed treatment and have been a partner in the development of their treatment plan. Such evidence will be monitored through NDC Service Co Pty Ltd’s review processes.

We do expect patients to actively participate in decisions and choices about their treatment and dental needs. For extensive treatment plans we also encourage a patient to involve their family or carer in the decision making process.

Informed consent

The initial examination of a patient shall be considered ‘implied consent’ to that procedure based on the booking of an appointment, attendance, and the patient allowing the physical examination to occur. Any subsequent treatment shall require the patient to make an informed decision and consent to the treatment either verbally or in writing depending on the procedure and associated risks.

The dental practitioner who is to perform the treatment is responsible for the following informed consent process in line with the Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct for Registered Health Practitioners.

A patient will be:

• Told (or receive information in some other way) what procedure is being proposed.
• Told (or receive information in some other way) about the possible risks and benefits of the treatment in a form or manner they can understand.
• Informed of the risks and benefits of all options.
• Afforded the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers that meet with their satisfaction.
• Afforded sufficient time (if needed) to discuss the plan with their family, carer or advisor, especially for complex treatment plans.
• Fully informed of and comprehending the cost of treatment.
• Able to use the information provided to them to help them make a decision they believe is in their best interest, in the absence of any coercion from the dental practitioner.
• Afforded the opportunity to communicate their decision to the dental practitioner either verbally or in writing.

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd requires all dental practitioners provide relevant documentation to the patient about the proposed treatment. The practice also requires dental practitioners to use their clinical judgement to determine where written consent is required from the patient and/or carer.

Dental practitioners shall take into account additional considerations regarding guardianship arrangements for consent matters when dealing with vulnerable patients.

Sufficient detail is to be recorded in patient records to reflect the information provided to the patient associated with their treatment options and the treatment plan, which is ultimately agreed upon.

All informed consent documentation used by the practitioners at NDC Service Co Pty Ltd is reviewed at regular intervals and any updates to these documents are designed to improve patient understanding and the quality of care provided.

Privacy

In accordance with the Privacy Law, Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct for Registered Health Practitioners, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner – Australian Privacy Principles, a patient can expect that their personal health and other information will be collected, used, disclosed and stored in accordance with relevant laws about privacy, and that this information will remain confidential unless the law allows disclosure or the patient directs us to release the information.

The Privacy Policy of NDC Service Co Pty Ltd consists of the following:

• All information collected from the patient will be used for the purpose of providing treatment. Personal information such as name, address and health insurance details will be used for the purpose of addressing accounts to the patient, as well as processing payments and writing to the patient about any issues affecting their treatment.
• We may disclose a patient’s health information to other health care professionals, or require it from them if, in our judgement, it is necessary in the context of the patient’s treatment. In this event, disclosure of personal details will be minimised wherever possible.
• We may also use parts of a patient’s health information for research purposes, in study groups or at seminars as this may provide benefit to other patients. Should that happen, a patient’s personal identity would not be disclosed without their consent to do so.
• Patient history, treatment records, x-rays and any other material relevant to treatment will be kept and remain in a secure environment.

Under the Privacy Law, patients have rights of access to dental information held about them by this practice. We welcome a patient to inspect or request copies of their treatment records at any time, or seek an explanation from the dentist. The following procedure has been developed to ensure that all requests for access are dealt with as efficiently as possible:

• All requests for access (other than straightforward requests for copies of test or treatment results made to your dentist during your consultation) should be made in writing using (where available) a Request for Release of Dental Records Form.
• Requests for access will be acknowledged within 48 hours of the receipt of the request.
• Where it is not possible for access to be granted within 30 days, the patient will be notified/advised when and if access will be granted.
• Where access is refused, the patient will be advised in writing of the reasons for refusal. This will include any information about other means by which access may be facilitated.
• A patient will not be permitted to remove any of the contents of their dental file from the practice, nor will they be permitted to alter or erase information contained in the dental record. However, if any of the information we have about a patient is inaccurate, a patient is encouraged to ask us to alter their records accordingly, in writing.
• When a request for copies of dental records is received, a fee may be required to be paid by the patient. This is at the discretion of the Practice Management Team.
• Generally, patients will be required to collect their records in person. However, in some limited circumstances patients may request in writing that records are provided to another person.
• If a patient, or authorised person, is collecting a copy of dental records, they may be required to provide identification. Where possible this should be photographic identification.

Complaints and comments

A patient’s evaluation of the care received at our practice is an extremely important form of feedback that provides valuable information about the services we provide. We encourage patients to provide both positive and negative feedback.

All staff will be provided with training and support that will assist them to identify, report and appropriately respond to complaints and other negative feedback. At NDC Service Co Pty Ltd we classify negative feedback into three categories:

• Enquiries: low level matters where an explanation or clarification of circumstances satisfies or resolves the patient’s concerns. No further risk or future action against the dental practitioner or practice is indicated.
• Notification: a complication or incident that has not caused the patient to make any complaint or claim, but has the potential to become a complaint or claim in the future. The dental practitioner involved will consult their professional association in these matters for guidance on handling the incident and whether notification to the professional indemnity insurer is required. The dental practitioner’s management of such complications or incident will be compatible with the practice’s open disclosure process.
• Complaint or Claim: matters in which a patient, or person on behalf of the patient, has made a verbal or written complaint to the practitioner or to a statutory or legal body, regarding some element of treatment that has been provided by the dental practitioner to the patient. The dental practitioner involved will consult their professional association and their professional indemnity insurer prior to responding to the matter.

In the event of a patient complaint, all staff at NDC Service Co Pty Ltd should use the following complaint handling policy:

• Provide an open environment for a patient to share their dissatisfaction with us directly, whilst respecting the patient’s right to have a concern heard by an independent third party such as the Dental Board of Australia or the co-regulator in your state/territory.
• Resolve the complaint at the lowest level possible.
• A patient will be required to place serious complaints or requests for refunds in writing.
• Notification to and advice sought from professional associations and professional indemnity insurers is encouraged.

Complaints handling process

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd will acknowledge and respond in a timely manner, either verbally or in writing, in respect to the seriousness of the complaint. We aim to respond to all complaints within 24 hours/1 day. All complaints will be recorded in the Complaints Register.

All complaints will be reviewed and reported by the person about whom the complaint is related, the Practice Manager (PM) and the Lead Dentist (LD). NDC expects responsibility for the management of practitioner related complaints will lie with the dental practitioner about whom the complaint is related. The dental practitioner involved may choose to escalate this complaint to the LD, or to the Chief Clinical Officer of NDC. Alternatively, they may choose to respond to the complaint upon receipt of advice from their insurer or professional association.

Escalated complaints

If the complaint is escalated to the NDC Support Office, the following information will be required to investigate further:

• Details of patient complaint
  i. Details why complaint was unresolved in practice
  ii. Patient’s expectations of satisfactory outcome
• Time line of events leading up to complaint
• Detailed clinical and communication records
  i. Chart
  ii. Radiographs
  iii. Photographs
  iv. Treatment notes
  v. Fees and item numbers
  vi. Phone calls and communication with patient
  vii. External reports (e.g dentists who offered 2nd opinion)
• Statements from clinicians and staff (witnesses)

Complaints review process

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd is committed to continuous improvement in safety and quality. The Senior Management Team will analyse data/feedback and take action where required. Any review actions/outcomes will be communicated to staff. In addition, incidents and analysis of incidents are reviewed by the Clinical Oversight Committee.

Notifying patients about their rights

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd will always endeavour to advise patients about their rights and the way our practice operates. Part of the process of providing this information to patients and/or carers is providing access to our Charter of Patient Rights.

• Sign age within the practice.
• Charter of patient rights distributed with new patient welcome documentation.
• Available on NDC Service Co Pty Ltd’s website

NDC Service Co Pty Ltd expects all staff will assist patients to understand their patient rights and the way our practice operates.

It is the responsibility of staff to proactively identify those patients who may be ‘at risk’ of not understanding their healthcare rights in accordance with NDC Service Co Pty Ltd’s ‘At Risk Patients and Escalation of Care Policy’, and to consult the dental practitioner if further guidance is needed.