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

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

Access

NHS Scotland waiting times

Information on how waiting times work in Scotland.

Accessing and using the NHS in Scotland

Information on your rights when using NHS health services in Scotland

EU Settlement Scheme and access to NHS healthcare

Information about the EU Settlement Scheme and accessing NHS healthcare

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 abroad

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

Health rights for veterans

Information on health rights for veterans, including priority treatment and useful resources

Home First

Information on the Home First approach in Scotland, including what it is and how it works.

Hospital at Home

Information about Hospital at Home, including who can benefit from it and what types of care are provided

National Treatment Centres

Information on Scotland’s National Treatment Centres

Waiting well

Support your health and wellbeing to be the best it can be if you're on a waiting list

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

Young people, immunisations and consent

How young people will be asked to give consent for immunisations

Confidentiality and data protection

Health records

What's in your health records, how to view and access them

How the NHS handles your personal health information

NHS Scotland's General Data Protection Notice

Privacy and confidentiality when using the NHS

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

European cross-border healthcare

Travelling to Europe for planned healthcare (S2 scheme)

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

Contacts for S2 applications and enquiries

If you want to travel to Europe for planned healthcare under the S2 scheme, you can get information from your local health board.

Feedback and complaints

Duty of candour

Information on the duty of candour procedure which helps health, care and social work services improve safety and quality.

Feedback, complaints and your rights

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

Making a complaint about your NHS care or treatment

Find out what to do if you have feedback or a complaint about an NHS service.

Fit notes

Getting a fit note

Information on getting a fit note (also known as a sick note or sick line).

Gender identity

Gender identity and your rights

Find out about the laws around gender identity, and the legal rights and protections available to trans and non-binary people in Scotland.

Health costs

Help with health costs

Advice on who is entitled to help with health costs and how to get help with health costs

Help with transport costs for NHS treatment

Advice on when you can get help with the transport costs for NHS treatment

Help with health costs for young people

Get information on health costs for young people in Scotland

Help with health costs if you’re on a low income or benefits

Get information on help with health costs if you're on a low income or receive benefits

Health and Social Care Standards

Health and Social Care Standards

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

Mental health

Quality standards for mental health services

New mental health quality standards have been developed by the Scottish Government. They set out what people can expect from mental health services in Scotland.

Transition Care Plans

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

Women and Families Maternal Mental Health Pledge

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

Organ and tissue donation

Organ and tissue donation

Information on organ and tissue donation.