Rights & Obligations

Our hospital staff are bound by a statutory duty of confidentiality. Our staff will only disclose information about your personal details, your state of health or your treatment to third parties with your consent. We will provide your GP and any other doctors treating you with the necessary medical information, unless you have instructed us otherwise.

Your right to privacy is protected: without your consent, your doctor may not provide your relatives or carers with comprehensive information about your state of health. If relatives or carers are present during an information or consultation session, we will assume that you have given your consent.

You may also designate, in writing, a trusted person who is authorised to receive medical information. If a patient is unresponsive or lacks the capacity to make decisions, the doctor may inform the next of kin as the patient’s legal representatives.

Your attending doctor will keep you regularly informed about your state of health, the expected course of recovery and your treatment. They will answer your questions about examinations, treatments and procedures, and explain in detail the risks, side effects and, where applicable, alternative treatments.

This duty to inform does not apply only if immediate action is required, for example in the case of life-saving measures. In such cases, the doctors will make the decision and inform you afterwards.

Effective treatment and the quickest possible recovery depend on a relationship of trust between you and the hospital staff. You should therefore seek to discuss matters to prevent misunderstandings and ask for clarification if there is anything you do not understand or would like to know more about.

Following a detailed and clear explanation, you decide for yourself whether you wish to undergo a particular treatment or procedure. No treatment or procedure may be carried out without your consent or against your will.

Your written consent is required for operations and for major procedures or those involving increased risks. We will only assume your consent in emergencies. For very simple procedures, such as a blood test, we also assume your consent unless you object.

If you wish to leave the hospital early against medical advice, you must confirm this in writing.

Your medical records contain all the essential information and documents relating to your illness and its progression. These include details you have provided, examination results, laboratory findings, X-rays, surgical reports and other documents. You may view these upon request. The hospital will retain your medical records for ten years after the completion of your last course of treatment. During this period, they remain the property of the hospital.

An advance healthcare directive allows you to set out your wishes in writing. It is an important document in the event that you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. In it, you can specify, for example, whether life-sustaining measures should be taken or withheld, and your views on post-mortem examinations and organ donation. Your doctors will respect your wishes. We recommend that you discuss your living will with your next of kin, your GP and your healthcare team.

By playing your part, you can make a significant contribution to your recovery. It is your responsibility to do everything you can to aid your recovery and to avoid lifestyle habits that are harmful to your health. This also includes following the instructions given by the nursing staff and showing consideration for your fellow patients.

Your active cooperation is equally important to ensure that your doctor can compile as accurate a medical history as possible. This requires you to provide complete and detailed information. Please do not withhold anything that could be of medical or nursing significance. It is essential that you inform us if you are unable to tolerate certain medicines, suffer from allergies or notice any adverse effects from a treatment.