Summary of the Act
3.The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act provides that it is the right of every patient that the health care received is patient-focused, which means that the provision of health care takes into account the patient’s needs. The Act also provides that the health care received has regard to the importance of providing the optimum benefit to the patient’s health and wellbeing, allows for patient participation in decisions about their healthcare and provides appropriate information and support to allow them to do so.
4.The Act places a duty on Scottish Ministers to publish a Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities.
5.The Act introduces a guarantee (to be known as the treatment time guarantee) that eligible patients will start to receive treatment within 12 weeks of the treatment being agreed.
6.The Act also provides for the right of every patient to give feedback or comments or raise concerns or complaints and to have access to support to do so. The Act provides for the Common Services Agency of the NHS in Scotland to secure the provision of a Patient Advice and Support Service.