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Patient Rights & Responsibilities

You have the right to:

  • Receive effective care that is considerate, timely and respectful of your diverse views, culture, spiritual traditions, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and abilities.
  • Have your personal health information remain confidential and your privacy respected.
  • Have a Substitute Decision Maker act on your behalf if you cannot make health care decisions for yourself.
  • Make choices about treatments where choice is possible and appropriate, and be informed of the health risks and benefits of those decisions. 
  • Obtain a second opinion from another health professional.
  • Receive information about your health care in a language you understand, with an interpreter if desired, within reasonable limits.
  • Know the names and roles of the members of your health care team. 
  • Be listened to and have time to ask questions. 
  • Express concerns about care/service and be informed of the process for doing so.
  • Expect that members of your health care team will collaborate to ensure continuity of care.

You have the responsibility to:

  • Provide complete and correct information as requested to your health care team and notify them of any changes in your health.
  • Let staff know if you do not understand any or all of the information given to you, or if you have any concerns
  • Follow your treatment or care plan to the best of your ability. 
  • Make certain the person you have chosen or who is designated by law to make health care decisions on your behalf (when you cannot) knows and understands your wishes.
  • Respect the privacy and confidentially of others.
  • Respect the right of everyone to work together in a respectful and abuse-free environment.
  • Act in a safe and responsible manner.

Your feedback is valued and invited. Please contact the Office of the Patient Experience if you have questions about your rights and responsibilities or wish to share concerns about your Sunnybrook experience:

By telephone:

Bayview Campus and St. John's Rehab: 416-480-4940
Veterans' Centre (K & L wings): 416-480-4280
Holland Centre: 416.967.8566

By mail:

Office of the Patient Experience, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Avenue, Room C161
Toronto, ON M4N 3M5

By email:

patient.experience@sunnybrook.ca