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Number 8 mental patients right without speakers nots.
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Bill of Rights
Introduction
The field of providing health services to patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
is witnessing a continuous development based on the teachings of Islamic Sharia
and social ethics that determine the ways of humane and ethical dealing with
service seekers, which is an aspect we are working hard to set an example in.
Through the role played by the Patient Experience Center in supporting the patient’s right and clarifying his responsibilities, we worked hard to develop a bill of
patients’ rights and responsibilities in cooperation with the competent authorities
in the field of providing health care services. We should always bear in mind the
human, social and national rights and duties guaranteed by the law to individuals
to raise the level of service provided and promote patients’ confidence in health facilities and
consolidating the bonds of joint health and humanitarian work between service providers
and recipients at all levels.
Believing in the patients’ right as well as empowering and involving them in decisions that
support and improve the services provided, we have committed ourselves to clarifying the
rights that the patient must receive. Furthermore, we must demonstrate the responsibilities
that they bear towards the facility in a simplified manner that ensures that the message is
delivered smoothly and easily to all segments of society to achieve the required objectives.
Bill of Rights
1
Table of Contents:
2
1- Definitions
3
2- Rights of Patients and Their Families
4
3- Pediatric Patients’ Rights
10
4- Elderly Patients’ Rights
10
5- Rights of Patients with Disabilities
11
6- Cancer Patients’ Rights
11
7- Rights of AIDS Patients
14
8- Mental Patients’ Rights
15
9- Rights of COVID-19 Patients
17
10- Women’s Health Rights
19
11- Companions’ Rights
22
12- Visitors’ Rights
22
13- Responsibilities of Patients, Family Members, and
Companions
23
14- Visitors’ Responsibilities Patients’ Rights in:
23
15- Reception
26
16- Laboratory Department
27
17- Pharmacy Department
29
18- Radiology Department
30
19- Clinics
32
20- Private Facilities
33
Bill of Rights
Definitions
Certain terms will be mentioned in this
policy and, if any, they mean the following:
Health facility: it is the entity affiliated to
the Ministry of Health or that works under its
supervision and provides health services to
patients, whether it is a clinic, health center,
infirmary, hospital or laboratory.
Patients’ rights: the policies and laws that
the health facility is obligated to protect and
preserve towards patients and their families.
Patients’ responsibilities: the instructions
that patients and their families must abide
by and adhere to.
Patient’s family: it includes the patient’s
family, visitors, companions, and legal
guardian.
Legal guardian: the person legally or
religiously responsible for the patient and
has the right to sign on behalf of the patient
in the event of their discriminatory, mental
or health inability.
for the patient’s case. Signing this form shall
be considered a complete approval of all
that it contains.
Clinical research and study programs:
programs that require the involvement
of patients to try new drugs or treatment
methods for the purpose of comparison and
aim for development and discovery. Such
programs are conducted by specialists
in their field and under the supervision of
qualified personnel.
Patients’ categories: children, adults,
elderly, and all patients who have one
characteristic in common and receive health
services.
People with Special Needs: this represents
the elderly, chronically ill, physically or
mentally disabled, and all those who are
unable to help themselves.
Child: any patient under the age of 12 years.
Minor: any patient under the age of 15 or
18; however, he/she is responsible enough
according to their maturity.
Medical
acknowledgment
or
authorization form: it is a clearly written
form that shall only be approved if it is
signed by the patient or their legal guardian
to start implementing the required procedure
Bill of Rights
3
Rights of Patients
and Their Families
• Providing medical care in diagnosis,
treatment and other services in a
manner that achieves the aspirations
and satisfaction of patients as much as
possible.
• Ensuring that the patient or their legal
1/ Patients and their families have
the right to health care
Receiving health services according
to (evidence-based medicine) that are
appropriate, continuous, organized and
specialized at every level of care, whether
preventive or therapeutic, and in a timely
manner. It also shall be in accordance with
the policies and procedures of eligibility for
treatment and within the capacity of the
facility and the laws regulating its work.
• A specialized medical team shall examine
each category of patients.
• Providing special equipment, tools and
supplies that are appropriate for the age
group and health status in the facility.
• Receiving all medical and nursing
supplies, medicines and consumable
supplies for medical care, such as oxygen
cylinders and diapers.
• Providing the appropriate environment
that helps patients adapt during the
treatment period in the health facility.
• Receiving preventive care from diseases,
such as: (vaccinations for children and
adults – periodic preventive examinations
– early detection of diseases).
• Receiving medical care in life-threatening
and critical cases in the emergency
departments of government and private
hospitals until the condition stabilizes
(life-saving policy) for all patients in
accordance with the laws, regulations
and policies of the Ministry of Health.
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Bill of Rights
guardian is well aware of all information
related to the patient’s health status and
condition in a clear and adequate manner
and in an understandable language.
• The
presence of an appropriate
mechanism to educate and provide
guidance on medicinal treatment and
other supportive treatments such as
nutrition in a manner that qualifies them
to deal with the patient’s health condition
inside and outside the facility.
• Receiving adequate nutrition that is
appropriate to the patient’s health
condition.
• Raising awareness and knowledge of
their rights granted to them by the Royal
Orders issued and Special Executive
Resolutions such as (discounted tickets,
vacations, or working hours).
• Securing transportation or its costs for
the patient and accompanying persons
according to the relevant controls. All
appointments, without a maximum limit,
shall be covered until the recovery of
chronic and critical diseases such as
cancer.
• Receiving the appropriate assessment
of pain when the patient is admitted to a
facility on an ongoing basis and providing
treatment that guarantees rapid relief of
pain, with an assessment of the response
to analgesic drugs, treatment of side
effects that may occur. Such patients
shall be educated and informed about the
necessary information about their pain
and how to alleviate it as well as how to
deal with chronic pain.
• Immediate family members of a patient
with an infectious disease shall receive
the necessary examination and treatment
in case of infection.
2/ Knowledge of Rights and
Responsibilities of Patients
and Their Families
• Providing all possible means inside
and outside the facility to familiarize
them with the Bill of Patients’ Rights
and Responsibilities. An electronic or
paper copy shall also be provided for
patients when entering or registering in
the facility, in the health service provision
departments and waiting places, provided
that they are shown in a prominent place.
• Developing a policy to implement and
enable patients and their families to
practice their rights. All health facility
personnel shall be obligated to respect
and implement the Patients’ Rights
Policy as representatives of the Ministry
of Health, help patients and their
families understand them clearly, hold
conferences, seminars, or workshops
to discuss aspects of patients’ rights as
well as forming relevant committees.
3/ Providing Health Care and
Services Based on Respect
and Appreciation
• Providing adequate health care at all
times and under all circumstances in
a manner, that preserves their dignity
without prejudice to their religious,
doctrinal and spiritual beliefs and their
cultural and social background.
• Adhering to appropriate Islamic and
social etiquette when dealing directly
with patients and their families in general,
and using the patient’s personal name on
official papers and not giving any other
identification.
• Respecting the patient’s right to express
the severity of pain.
• The patient shall only be isolated when
necessary.
• Providing dignified care to the patient
in cases of dying and death, as well as
proper handling of the corpse.
4/ Privacy and Confidentiality:
• Providing privacy and confidentiality
when discussing the patient’s treatment
program, whether in person or the legal
guardian.
• Ensuring that the patient’s private parts
are covered except for what is required
for treatment.
• Preventing disclosure, misuse, circulation
or access to patient information,
whether in (the medical file and medical
information related to the diagnosis,
analysis and treatment of any party or
person without the consent of the patient
or their legal guardian (except as required
by the judicial authorities).
• Preventing access to the patient’s
medical file for non-members of the
medical team supervising the treatment
or those authorized by the management
of the facility, by the patient or their
guardian, or by the judicial authorities.
• Preventing the patient from meeting
anyone who is not related to the provision
of health care, including visitors.
• Preparing
places for admission,
examination and medical procedures.
All possible measures shall be taken
to maintain privacy and covering the
private parts except for what is required
by the necessity of treatment. The patient
Bill of Rights
5
shall be moved to a special room for
examination if the patient’s room is not
suitable, ensuring that the patient do not
stay in the examination room for more
than the necessary period, and making
sure that a person of the same gender is
present during the clinical examination
or the required interventions.
• Providing appropriate clothing and
necessary personal toiletries for the
patient.
• Providing suitable separate waiting areas
for both men and women.
5/ Providing Protection and
Safety
• Providing health care in a safe, clean
and sterile environment suitable for the
health status of patients, helping them
to recover and preventing them or their
families from contracting infectious
diseases or getting physical, moral or
psychological harm.
• Providing the appropriate tools and
mechanisms to protect them from
physical harm, diseases and infection,
such as washing hands; and providing
safety precautions before and during
entry or transportation from and into
the health facility, and before starting
any medical procedure.
• Implementing
Infection Prevention
Controls approved by the Ministry of
Health regulations to protect patients
from infection. Ensuring that the service
provider follows the safety guidelines
before, during and after the medical
procedure or examination, and the
patient has the right to remind the
service provider of that or to request a
change.
• Cautioning patients and their families
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Bill of Rights
utilizing all explanatory means that
they can understand before and during
entering all places that may expose the
patient and their family to harm, such as
areas of radiation, magnetic resonance
imaging, places under construction,
while performing cleaning or sterilization
operations, and others.
• The presence of a policy to provide
security and safety to protect people
with special needs, such as children,
the elderly, women, the disabled, and
those in sensitive and remote locations
(such as inpatient wards, women’s
wards, delivery room, pediatrics and
neonatology department) from assault
or abduction.
• Protecting them from psychological
harm, reprimand, reproach, slander and
insults by any employee of the health
facility.
• The medical team shall be obliged
to report any case of physical or
psychological violence to the concerned
authority.
• Providing
appropriate
places,
mechanisms and procedures to protect
their belongings from theft and damage.
• Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the
health facility.
• The presence of special procedures
for people with special needs (in terms
of assistance, facilitating procedures,
providing appropriate facilities, parking
spots, number of companions, etc.).
• Confirming the identity of the guardian,
parent, or the person authorized by the
patient to sign on their behalf.
6/ Healthcare Plan Engagement:
• Enabling patients and their families
to communicate with the treatment
team to obtain complete and upto-date information regarding the
diagnosis, the proposed treatment,
its expected benefits and results, the
suggested medical alternatives – if any,
complications, risks, and the treatment
success rate using the terms that they
understand and comprehend.
• Clarifying transparently the possibilities
of care available in the health facility
for patients who need care beyond the
capabilities of the facility and informing
them of the other services provided by
the MOH, which the patient deserves
and benefits from, such as home care
programs, specialized medical centers,
medical bodies services and their
responsibilities. They shall also strive to
provide such services by working with
the competent authorities.
• Knowing the names of the participants
in providing the health service to them,
their specialties and the name of the
doctor responsible for the treatment and
follow-up of the case before taking any
treatment action.
• Informing them of the presence of
licensed trainees if they are part of the
treating medical team.
• Having discussion with the medical
team about the necessary information
before any treatment or operation
procedure and before signing the
medical permission forms, except for
emergency cases that require urgent
medical intervention in accordance with
the applicable laws and regulations.
• Patients shall be informed about the type
of interventions, medicines and radiation
used in treatment, their effectiveness,
and safety.
• Clarifying the reasons for transferring
the patient to another place inside
or outside the health facility before
the transfer, besides giving them the
necessary instructions.
• Requesting another medical opinion
in coordination with the competent
authority in the health facility when
necessary.
• Clarifying the reasons for transferring
or changing patient care from one
consultant to another.
7/ Refusal of Treatment:
• Informing them of the possibility of
rejecting all or part of the prescribed
treatment in a manner that does not
contradict with the applicable laws
and regulations, and informing them
of the expected results of the refusal
decision. The patient or their legal
guardian shall be fully responsible for
their decisions and actions in the event
of refusal of treatment or failure to follow
the treatment instructions, with the need
to have them sign the acknowledgment
form for the prescribed procedure and
then document this in the patient’s file.
• The refusal of treatment shall not result
in any decisions or procedures that
are not related to the patient’s health
condition, and the service provider in the
health facility is obligated to continue
providing the appropriate care, even
during appointments for the same
disease or others, in accordance with
the medical standards followed.
• Informing them of other alternative
treatments in case of refusal.
• Refraining from performing resuscitation
to treat patients with illnesses in
accordance with legal fatwas and laws
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Bill of Rights
7
8/ Availability of Material Costs
and Health Insurance Policy
• Obtaining approximate information
about the expected cost before starting
treatment.
• Knowing the limits of health insurance
coverage available to the patient and
the consequences thereof.
• Answering all inquiries related to the
treatment bill, regardless of who will pay
it.
• Issuing an accurate invoice for the
services provided and related costs.
• Displaying a wall poster of those eligible
for treatment.
• Displaying a wall poster describing in
a simplified manner the services and
related costs.
• Any
commercial, advertising or
marketing activity shall comply with the
ethics of the profession.
9/ Clarity and
Comprehensiveness of Forms
and Reports
• Authorizing a person to sign on their
behalf the medical authorization and
to take decisions on their behalf when
necessary, with the full consent and
knowledge of the patient
• Introducing patients to the information
contained in the medical authorization
in a clear manner and in understandable
terms, with an explanation of the
expected negative and positive results
as a consequence of the approval or
refusal; besides, providing a list of
interventions that require a separate
medical authorization and keeping the
medical authorization in the patient’s file.
• Obtaining medical reports that prove
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Bill of Rights
their condition and justify their periods
of absence from work in order to
guarantee the right to return to work
or obtain financial support if they are
unable to continue working as well as
the right to obtain social benefits from
ministries and competent authorities.
10/ Availability of Policies and
Procedures for Complaints
and Suggestions:
• Submitting oral or written suggestions,
requests, inquiries, or complaints,
whether signed or not, to the health
facility, without any impact on the
quality of service provided to them, with
the possibility of raising a complaint to
various levels in the health facility.
• Availability of policies and procedures for
handling complaints, including specifying
the entity/entities authorized to receive
complaints in the facility, determining the
complaints path and the handling policy
in place, then submitting periodic reports
to all levels on complaints, actions taken,
final responses to patients and their
satisfaction with that, and studying and
analyzing complaints and their causes
and solutions.
• Introducing them to the policies,
procedures and mechanisms used in the
health facility to study complaints and
proposals and the expected response
time. Inform them of any available
information regarding the complaint or
proposal, as well as quickening the pace
of addressing complaints.
11/ Availability of Policies and
Procedures for Organ and
Tissue Donation:
• The donation shall be made in accordance
with the standards and policies of organ
and tissue donation from living or braindead donors that are approved by the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and according
to the legal procedures followed.
• It is strictly forbidden to trade human
organs. Rewards and support material
benefits, subsidies and moral benefits
in exchange for donation shall be
determined according to the regulations
in force.
• Obtaining
job
benefits,
accrued
vacations, employment for donors or
their immediate family members, as well
as supporting benefits from other entities
or ministries.
• Providing living donors or legal guardians
of the brain-dead with all information
and legal fatwas issued by Shariah
committees regarding donation.
• Availability of all trained, qualified and
specialized personnel in all medical,
administrative and psychological fields.
• Respecting the decision of the donor and
their families, whoever they are, as well as
respecting the donor’s desire to withdraw
at any moment before the completion of
the donation process. Donors shall not
be not entitled to demand the organ after
the surgical removal.
• Providing the declarations required to
conduct the donation process in a clear
wording and terms that the donor can
understand.
• It is prohibited to donate organs of living
patients (under the age of 18, and over
the age of 60), even with the consent of
the parents.
12/ Participation in Research and
Study Programs:
• Patients may be asked to participate in
research or study programs related to
their condition when the conditions of the
research match them and according to
the possibilities available for the research.
• The
facility shall provide clear
and
understandable
information
about the research, study, clinical
medical
treatment,
human-related
pharmacological treatment and medicine,
and the expected results of participating
in it.
• Emphasizing on the ethical, humanitarian
and professional controls and rules, as
well as adhering to medical procedures
that guarantee their personal safety in
accordance with the legislation in force.
• It shall be possible to accept or reject
participation before or during the research
or study.
• A form designated to participate in any
research or study shall be made available,
and patients shall not be allowed to
participate except after they or their legal
guardian have signed the form.
• The presence of a committee or body
(official/scientific) that authorizes and
supervises the research or study.
• The presence of clear mechanisms for
how to protect the patients and receive
their complaints and opinions during the
progress of research or study.
• Ensuring the patients’ right to stop
participating without affecting their right
to treatment and its continuation.
• It is not permissible to conduct medical
or scientific experiments on any person
or exploit their organs without their
free consent and full awareness of the
complications that may result from it.
Bill of Rights
9
Pediatric Patients’
Rights
In addition to the general rights from 1 to 12
• The presence of a companion with the
child when hospitalized in the health
facility, except for the intensive care unit
and the nursery department, according to
the procedures and regulations followed.
• Providing a clear policy for vaccinations
Elderly Patients’
Rights
In addition to the general rights from 1 to 12
• The design of health facilities should
be age-sensitive and elderly-friendly
(the facility’s entrance, clinic entrance,
and corridors shall be wide enough
for a wheelchair to pass, and there
are handrails on the stairs, walls, and
toilets…..etc.)
and examinations for children according
to the circulars received from the Ministry
of Health.
• Providing preventive, therapeutic and
facility.
• Giving priority to the elderly when
• The child shall not be detained in the
• The child shall not be isolated except for
the utmost necessity that requires it.
• A specialized medical team shall examine
children.
• The availability of devices, tools and
supplies for the child in the facility.
• The presence of a special policy to
protect children from all forms of abuse.
• Providing the appropriate environment for
children that help them adapt during the
treatment period in the health facility.
• The medical team shall be committed
to report all cases of violence against
children to the concerned authority.
rehabilitative health services for the
elderly in proportion to their health needs
providing health services from entering
the health facility until leaving it (reducing
waiting time for health services and
simplifying the procedures for receiving
service)
• Providing certain equipment for the
elderly at home, such as wheelchairs,
crutches with a tripod base, eyeglasses
and hearing aids.
• Providing psychological and social
counseling services to the elderly as
well as taking care of the elderly at home
through specialized teams.
• Providing home medical care for all the
elderly who are unable to reach health
facilities to receive health services.
• Training the elderly and the elderly home
caretakers on the basics of daily health
care for the elderly at home.
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Bill of Rights
Rights of Patients
with Disabilities
In addition to the general rights from 1 to 12
• Providing healthcare for them on the
basis of free and informed consent.
• Providing their needs for medical tools
and equipment.
• Equality in all health rights without
discrimination.
• Equipping the health institutions with all
facilities to comply with comprehensive
access standards, whenever possible.
• Providing full support and protecting their
dignity and all their rights.
• Facilitating their access to health services
(therapeutic and rehabilitative).
• Protecting them from exploitation,
violence
or
abuse.
Cancer Patients’
Rights
In addition to the general rights from 1 to 12
General health rights for cancer patients:
• The patient alone shall have the right to
know the diagnosis, and his/her family
members are not entitled to know the
diagnosis without the patient’s consent.
• The patient shall have the right to file a
complaint if his/her diagnosis is disclosed
without his/her written consent.
• The cancer patient (adult sane) shall
have the right alone to make decisions
by agreeing to chemotherapy and
radiotherapy, and this does not require
the consent of the parent.
• The patient alone shall have the right to
make a decision to agree to a surgical
intervention, such as a lumpectomy, or
a mastectomy; and this does not require
the consent of the parent.
Reproductive Health Rights of
Cancer Patients:
• A cancer patient shall have the right to
be provided with all health information
about his/her disease.
• The patient shall have the right to be well
informed about the impact of cancer/
cancer treatments on fertility and their
chance of having children in the future.
• The patient shall have the right to be
well informed about the importance of
visiting an infertility doctor and referring
them before starting chemotherapy to
know the methods of preserving fertility
available in the Kingdom.
Bill of Rights
11
• The patient shall have the right to know
the jurisprudence rulings regulating all
fertility preservation methods available
locally, or if the treatment is done abroad.
Pregnancy and Cancer:
• A female patient with cancer shall have
the right to know her chance of becoming
pregnant in the future and when she can
become pregnant.
• A woman who is pregnant while suffering
from cancer or who is diagnosed with
cancer while she is pregnant shall have
the right to be supervised by a specialized
team of oncologists, obstetricians and
pediatrics, as well as the right to discuss
the ethical and legal aspects according
to her situation.
• Both spouses shall have the right to
participate in decision-making after
providing them with all the information,
i.e. health empowerment so that they are
better able to make the decision.
Cancer Patients’ Rights at Work:
• A cancer patient shall not be discriminated
against or dismissed as long as he/she is
able to work.
• The employer shall not be entitled to
request information about the patient’s
health condition except after obtaining
the patient’s permission.
• The patient shall have the right to leave
on the days of taking chemotherapy or
for surgery.
Right to Genetic Testing:
• A cancer patient shall have the right to be
provided with sufficient information about
the role of the genetic factor.
• They shall be referred to a specialist if
there is a family history and the woman
requests a referral.
• The female patient shall have the right
to know the decisions that result from
conducting a genetic test before starting
it. She shall also be provided with health
information that helps her to make the
appropriate decision for her and her
family.
Cancer Patient’s Right to Pain
Treatment:
• The patient, especially advanced cases,
shall have the right to receive pain
medication to live and die in peace.
• He/she shall have the right to participate
in private medical decisions
• Treating pain and enabling the patient
to choose from all their health-related
options.
Right to Palliative Treatment:
• The patient shall have the right to be
provided with specialized care in the final
stages of the disease.
• The patient shall have the right to be
supported psychologically and religiously.
Right not to Resuscitate:
• It is the right of the patient, according to
his/her health condition, to present the
matter to them medically and in line with
the Shariah decisions.
• The patient shall have the right to be
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Bill of Rights
treated kindly when being notified and
taking into account their situation;
and the manner of notification shall be
according to the patient’s age, health and
psychological condition, and according
to what the doctor deems with his/her
experience of the patient’s ability to
understand and tolerate the information.
• The patient shall have the right to make
the decision or delegate the decision on
their behalf in writing.
Rights of Young
Cancer patients
Due to the specificity of this age group,
especially in this type of disease, and
their unique structural medical, social and
economic needs, this article has been
allocated. In addition to what was mentioned
in articles (1 to 12) and the previous articles
about the rights of cancer patients, this
category includes rights that must be taken
into consideration:
• The right to prevention: through educating
them about cancer and early detection
programs.
• The right to prompt diagnosis and
treatment of suspected and confirmed
cases.
• The right to qualified multidisciplinary
medical professionals with significant
experience in treating cancer of this age
group.
• Receiving psychological and social
support as well as friendly treatment by
specialists.
• Fertility preservation and providing
information and advice on the short and
long term effects of cancer as well as the
treatments that affect fertility.
Bill of Rights
13
Rights of Acquired
Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS)
Patients
• The rights of AIDS patients are not
different from the rights of patients
in general, and the importance lies in
focusing on the following points:
• In addition to the general rights from 1 to
12
• The patient shall be entitled to be
respected and appreciated (greeting,
communication, and others).
• Taking into account privacy and
confidentiality to a high degree, knowing
that the husband or wife has the right to
know if the other party is a carrier of the
virus.
• The patient is entitled to see the medical
record and request a copy of the medical
record.
• The patient shall be entitled to be given
sufficient time from the medical staff
in the various stages of diagnosis and
treatment and all stages to explain and
educate the patient about the diagnosis,
its mechanisms, treatment plan,
consequences and alternative treatments
according to the latest evidence-based
medical methods.
• The AIDS patient shall be entitled
to be provided with counseling and
psychological
support
services.
• Facilitating the procedures for obtaining
appointments and reports when visiting
any desk at the health facility.
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Bill of Rights
• The patient shall be entitled to be treated
appropriately and not to overreact
to substances to which universal
precautions do not apply: stool – nasal
secretions – phlegm – sweat – tears urine – vomit.
• The patient shall be entitled to the
fact that medical care provider follow
and explain the universal precautions
application
mechanisms.
• The patient’s immediate family members
(wife and children) shall be entitled to
receive the necessary examination.
Mental Patients’
Rights
In addition to the general rights from 1
to 12
• Protecting then from all forms of abuse
and physical, psychological and verbal
violence.
• Their freedom shall not be restricted by
any means, and they shall not be placed
in an isolated room without a medical
reason.
• Receiving therapeutic services in the
easiest way by allocating psychiatric
clinics in the health facility.
• Availability of educational and
rehabilitation means that are appropriate
for their abilities when they stay for a
long period in the health facility.
• No person may be compelled to
undergo a medical examination aimed
at determining whether or not they have
a mental illness, except in accordance
with a procedure authorized by judicial
authorities, in accordance with the
provisions of the mental health care law.
• Mental illness shall only be determined
according to internationally recognized
medical standards, and it is not
permissible to be decided on any basis
that is not directly related to their mental
health condition. The illness shall not be
considered permanent even if he/she is
treated in a mental center or clinic.
• When treatment is carried out in a
mental health facility, the patient
shall be entitled to be treated near
his/her home or their family’s house
whenever possible, and to return to their
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•
•
community as soon as possible.
They shall be treated in the least
restrictive
circumstances.
They shall be
