A patient bill of rights is a concise document that outlines the fundamental rights and responsibilities of individuals receiving medical care. It covers aspects such as informed consent, confidentiality, non-discrimination, privacy, dignity, access to medical treatment, participation in healthcare decisions, and access to medical records. Its purpose is to protect and empower patients by ensuring they receive respectful and quality healthcare services.

The Government of Ontario has prepared a Patient Bill of Rights for home and community care support services. We have reposted it here for convenience.

As a patient, family member, substitute decision maker or caregiver, you have the right to expect that every Home and Community Care Support Services employee, Board member and contracted health service provider shall respect and promote your rights as follows:

1. To be dealt with in a respectful manner and to be free from physical, sexual, mental, emotional, verbal and financial abuse.
2. To be dealt with in a manner that respects your dignity and privacy, and that promotes your autonomy and participation in decision-making. 
3. To be dealt with in a manner that recognizes your individuality and that is sensitive to and responds to your needs and preferences, including preferences based on ethnic, spiritual, linguistic, familial and cultural factors.
4. To receive home and community care services free from discrimination as per the Human Rights Code or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
5. A patient who is First Nations, Métis or Inuk has the right to receive home and community care services in a culturally safe manner.
6. To receive clear information about your home and community care services in a format that is accessible to you.
7. To participate in the assessment and reassessment of your needs, as well as the development and revision of your care plan.
8. To designate a person to be present with you during assessments, and to participate in the development, evaluation and revisions to your care plan.
9. To receive assistance in coordinating your services.
10. To give or refuse consent to the provision of any home and community care service.
11. To raise concerns or recommend changes related to the services that you receive, and with policies and decisions that affect your interests, without fear of interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal.
12. To be informed of the laws, rules and policies affecting the delivery of the home and community care services, including this Patient Bill of Rights, and to be informed, in writing, of the procedures for initiating complaints about the services you are receiving.