Health Services
Each State and Territory (except SA) has a free, independent health service to help consumers with health service issues, across all aspects of health in the public and private sector. Your complaint may be about a private medical practitioner, a nursing home, a hostel or supported accommodation facility, a public or private hospital, or any other person or place providing a health service.
Who is a health service provider?
This includes doctors, dentists, specialists, hospitals (public and private), physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers in a health setting, nursing homes, hostels, supported residential services, nurses, acupuncturists, ambulance services, community health centres, occupational therapists, optometrists, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatric services, speech therapists.
Why might you complain? If the health service provider has:
- failed to provide a service or provided a service that was unnecessary
- denied you dignity or privacy
- failed to give you adequate information
- denied you access to information about your health care
- failed to exercise due skill
- failed to treat you in a professional manner
Who can complain?
- the user of a health service
- a person appointed by the user, acting as power of attorney or authorised by law
- a parent or guardian of a child under 14
- another health service provider
- approved/prescribed persons
How to complain In most cases, your complaint will need to be in writing. But it is a good idea to ring first to discuss the matter and get some advice about the issue from an enquiries officer.
New privacy legislation for the private sector in Australia has applied to all health service providers in the private sector, regardless of size, since December 2001. Go to the Privacy Commissioner's web site for more information on privacy in the Private Health Sector .
Queensland
Health Rights Commission
Takes complaints about both public and private health service providers.
Level 19 288 Edward St Brisbane 4000
GPO Box 3089 Brisbane 4001
Phone: (07) 3234 0272 (Brisbane metro)
FreecallT 1800 077 308 (within Queensland)
Fax: (07) 3234 0333
TTY Deaflink (07) 3225 2559
Go to the Commission's web site
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