Patients' rights: what can you do when the hospital does not comply with them?🩺

What do “patients’ rights” mean?

In Romania, patients’ rights are regulated by Law no. 46/2003. These include:

• The right to information and consent;
• The right to respect, dignity, and privacy;
• The right to non-discriminatory treatment;
• The right to access correct and timely medical care;
• The right to refuse or discontinue treatment, under certain conditions.

Common situations of patients’ rights violations:

• You’re not properly informed about your diagnosis or treatment options;
• You’re denied access to your medical records;
• You’re not asked for consent before certain interventions;
• You’re treated disrespectfully or discriminated against;
• You suffer harm due to medical negligence.

Potential sanctions against medical staff:

Failure to respect patient confidentiality, medical confidentiality, and other patient rights may result in:

• disciplinary liability;
• administrative liability;
• criminal liability.

What you can do:

• Talk to the hospital’s management and request an official explanation;
• File a written complaint against the hospital and request a registration number;
• Report the matter to the Romanian College of Physicians, the Public Health Directorate (DSP), or the People’s Advocate (Avocatul Poporului).
• Consult a lawyer specializing in medical law to take legal action: claim moral or material damages, file malpractice complaints, obtain access to documents and evidence.

Our law firm provides:

• Personalized consultation on patients’ rights;
• Assistance in dealing with hospitals, the DSP, and authorities;
• Representation in malpractice or damages litigation;
• Recovery of moral and material damages.