Rights of children and young people in healthcare

​​​​Everyone seeking or receiving healthcare in NSW has certain rights. Children and young people can expect:

• respect: they will be listened to, valued and treated with dignity
• clear information: staff will explain what's happening in ways children, young people and families can understand
• safety and support: care should feel safe, and a parent, carer or trusted adult can be present when needed
• involvement in care: children and young people are encouraged to ask questions, share their views and take part in decisions about their health​
  
• privacy: personal information and health conversations are handled with care and kept confidential, with explanations about how their information is used.

​NSW Health services

Health services use ​​NSW's Child Safe ​Standards​​​ to ensure organisational processes protect children from harm. As part of this commitment, NSW Health has developed the Child Safe Action Plan to embed these standards across its hospitals, health services and online spaces.​

The Safety and Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents in NSW Acute Health Facilities policy sets clear standards to make sure children and adolescents receive safe and appropriate care when in in NSW hospitals and other acute health facilities. It is designed to protect their safety and wellbeing while they are in care.​

Health services in NSW are also ​strongly encouraged to:​

• be familiar with the Charter on the Rights of Children and Young People in Healthcare Services in Australia
• watch the videos below
• ​​display these posters:​
  
• ​ Rights of Children in Healthcare Services poster​
• Rights of Young People in Healthcare Services poster

Australia's commitm​ent to rights of children in healthcare

Australia has signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child​​​​ which protects the rights of children.

Australia is responsible for making sure the rights of children are recognised and upheld. Every 5 years, Australia reports to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child​​​ on how well it's meeting its obligations.

The Charter on the Rights of Children and Young People in Healthcare Services in Australia​​​​ was created after extensive consultation by Children's Healthcare Australasia​​​​ and Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare​​.

​UNICEF has useful resources​ to help young people understand their rights under the Convention of the Rights of the Child.