Health rights

You have a number of rights and responsibilities when using the NHS in Scotland. These are protected under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011. Find out more about what's expected of you and what you should expect when accessing healthcare.

Patient charter

The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Explanation of the 'Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities' and how to use it effectively

Access

Accessing and using the NHS in Scotland

Including your rights, support, and treatment waiting times

Help with health costs

​Who is entitled to help with health costs and how to get help

Healthcare for overseas visitors

Accessing healthcare in Scotland if you're an overseas student or holidaymaker

Healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers

Accessing healthcare in Scotland if you're a refugee or asylum seeker

Healthcare for UK passport holders living or working abroad

Accessing healthcare in Scotland if you're a UK passport holder or pensioner and you live or work overseas

Waiting times

How waiting times work and how quickly you'll be seen under the national waiting times standards

Health rights for veterans

Including priority treatment and useful resources

Communication

Communication and involving you

​Your rights and responsibilities when communicating with the NHS

Information for carers using NHS services

Including care and consent and legal proxy

Information for young people using NHS services

Including talking to health workers and child protection services

Confidentiality and data protection

Privacy and confidentiality when using the NHS

How your information is stored, used and shared within NHS Scotland

How the NHS handles your personal health information

NHS Scotland's General Data Protection Notice

Health records

Your health record, emergency care summary and key information summary

Feedback and complaints

Feedback, complaints and your rights

Your rights and responsibilities when giving feedback or making a complaint about the NHS in Scotland

Complain about a GP, pharmacy, dentist or hospital in Scotland

Who to contact at your local health board to leave feedback or make a complaint

Duty of candour

The duty of candour procedure explains how organisations should learn from unexpected or unintended incidents which appear to have caused harm.

Health and Social Care Standards

Health and Social Care Standards

Your rights when using health, social work and social care services

European cross-border healthcare

National Contact Point for Scotland

Treatments, pricing and the consent/reimbursement process for European cross-border healthcare in Scotland

National Contact Point: Health boards

Who to contact at your local health board for information on European cross-border healthcare

National Contact Point: Private providers

Who to contact at a number of Scotland's private healthcare providers for information on European cross-border healthcare

Travelling to Europe for planned healthcare – the S2 scheme

If you're thinking about having treatment in another European country, it's important to understand how the S2 scheme works

Mental health

Women and Families Maternal Mental Health Pledge

What to expect from the NHS in Scotland if you're pregnant and have mental health problems

Transition Care Plans: moving from CAMHS to adult mental health services

A Transition Care Plan (TCP) is a document that young people receiving treatment from CAMHS complete as part of their transition to adult mental health services.