Patient Rights

In the Republic of Ireland, bodily integrity has been recognised by the courts as an unenumerated right, protected by the general guarantee of “personal rights” contained within Article 40 of the Irish constitution.

Bodily Integrity is about the right to make decisions over one’s own life and future. It is about being empowered to make informed choices and theses are universal values. The matter of bodily integrity is defined variously as the right to govern our own body, the inviolability of our physical body emphasising the importance of personal autonomy and self-determination, the right to take full governance of what happens inside and outside our bodies. It has played a significant role in medical law and ethics.

Examples of Common Patient Rights include:
The Right to Be Treated with Respect.
The Right to Obtain Your Medical Records.
The Right to Privacy of Your Medical Records.
The Right to a Treatment of your Choice.
The Right to Informed Consent.
The Right to Refuse Treatment.

Examples of Common Patient Rights Violations include:
Failing to treat the patient with dignity or respect.
Failing to provide quality care.
Failing to provide proper nursing services.
Abandoning or neglecting the patient.
Isolating the patient.
Failing to ensure the patient was not subjected to acts of abuse.
Administering unnecessary medications without consent.