According to the national patients' rights charter every patient has the right to:
- A healthy and safe environment
- Participation in decision-making
- Access to health care services which include:
- Receiving timely emergency care
- Treatment and rehabilitation
- Provision for special needs
- Counselling
- Palliative care
- A positive disposition
- Health information
- Knowledge of ones own health insurance / medical aid scheme
- Choice of health services
- Be treated by a named health care provider
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Informed consent
- Refusal of treatment
- Be referred for a second opinion
- Continuity of care
- Complain about health services