confidentiality statement & patient rights

Good Health is Your Right

All people have the right to good health and quality healthcare. This includes

  • Living in a healthy and safe environment.
  • Having access to quality healthcare that you can afford.
  • Choosing the healthcare services you prefer to use.
  • Receiving appropriate treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.
  • Knowing that your personal information is treated confidentially and kept private.
  • Being fully informed about any illness, diagnostic procedures, proposed treatments and the related costs.
  • Choosing to accept or refuse treatment.
  • Obtaining a second opinion, where appropriate.
  • Receiving ongoing care from your chosen healthcare provider.

You also have the right to complain about healthcare services that either violate your rights to good health or breach ethical standards, to have your complaint investigated and to receive a full response thereafter.

Patient’s right to confidentiality

1. The National Health Act (Act No 61 of 2003) states that all patients have a right to confidentiality and this is consistent with the right to privacy in the South African Constitution (Act No 108 of 1996)

2. Rule 13 of the Ethical Rules of the HPCSA states that a practitioner may divulge information regarding a patient only if this is done:

  • a.In terms of a Statutory provision;
  • b.At the instruction of a court;
  • c.In the public interest;
  • d.With the express consent of the patient;
  • e.With the written consent of a parent or guardian of a minor under the age of 12 years;
  • f.In the case of a deceased patient with the written consent of the next of kin or the executor of the deceased’s estate

3. Disclosure in the public interest would include but not be limited to situations where the patient or other persons would be prone to harm as a result of the risk related content.

Our commitment to you:

Campus Health provides quality health care services. Confidentiality ensures that the patient’s health and financial information will be protected at all times. All matters are dealt with in strict confidence and sensitive information will not be communicated to the University authorities or to parents without the patient’s permission.