Carer rights and recognition

No matter how much care you provide or what kind of care relationship you are in, you have rights. Respect, consideration, recognition and support are some of the principles that should guide how health and community services work with carers and the people they care for.

Principles relating to carers#

A carer should:

• be recognized for their efforts and dedication, and for the social and economic contribution their care role makes to the community.
• have their own views, needs and cultural identity taken into account, alongside the views, cultural identity, needs and best interests of the person they care for, especially when decisions are made that affect the carer or the care relationship.
• be supported as an individual and as a carer, including when the care relationship changes.
• have their social wellbeing and health recognized in matters relating to the care relationship.
• be able to consider, when deciding whether to take on a caring role, the effect that role may have on their participation in employment or other activities.

Principles relating to the person being cared for#

A person being cared for should:

• be respected, recognized and supported as an individual and as a person in a care relationship, including when the care relationship changes.
• have their views and needs taken into account.
• have their changing needs considered in decisions about how they are cared for.

Principles relating to the care relationship#

A person in a care relationship should:

• have their care relationship respected and honored.
• where appropriate, have their views considered in the assessment, planning, delivery, management and review of services that affect them and the care relationship.

Accessing the health records of someone you care for#

You generally only have the right to access another person’s health and medical records if you are their authorized representative.

• For someone under 18, this is usually a parent or guardian.
• For someone over 18, this is either a person legally authorized to act on their behalf, or another appropriate person such as a spouse, partner or friend.

To become an authorized representative for someone under 18, you typically need to prove your identity and your relationship to them, for example with an official document showing your relationship, the young person’s birth certificate naming you as a parent, or a relevant court order.

Raising concerns about services#

If you have concerns about a service, the best place to start is usually to speak directly with the staff involved. Some organizations have their own complaints procedures they will ask you to follow, and many hospitals have a patient liaison officer who can guide you through the process.

If you get stuck or need help working through a complaint, advocacy and mediation services may be able to help you voice your concerns. If you believe your rights as a carer, or the rights of the person you care for, have been violated, you may need to seek legal advice or assistance. Free or low-cost dispute resolution, mediation and legal services are available in many areas.

Key points#

• A carer should be respected and recognized as an individual with their own needs, as a carer, and as someone with special knowledge of the person in their care.
• Carers should be supported through changes to the care relationship and have their wellbeing and health recognized.
• You can usually only access another person’s health records if you are their authorized representative.
• If you have concerns about a service, start by talking to the staff involved, and seek advocacy or legal help if needed.

Where to get help#