The right to be accompanied and assisted
In terms of health, the law gives you certain rights, including the right to be accompanied and assisted.
Filing a complaint:
constructive action to highlight
a problematic situation
What this means is that you have the right to be accompanied by the person of your choice when it comes to receiving information about your health or the services available. However, this right does not affect the provision of the service as such.
That implies that a doctor cannot refuse for you to be accompanied during the information part of the appointment, but could impose being alone with you to examine you.
If being accompanied during treatment is essential for you, it is, therefore, important to talk about it beforehand to ensure that your request can be accepted.
Example
Mary is a caregiver for her mother Diane
Diane suffers from dementia and needs to be accompanied at all times. Following a fall, she had to be rushed to the hospital. Mary followed her to assist her, even if she was very upset by the events.
In the ER, the triage nurse won't allow Mary to stay with her mother on the pretext that she won't let her talk, regardless of Diane's incapacity. Mary is left speechless and this decision increases her anxiety since she knows her mother cannot explain her downfall, or how she feels, representatively.
Following a complaint filed with the commissioner's office, Mary was informed that corrective measures had been taken by management so that she would be authorized to accompany her mother at all times, as a caregiver for an incapacitated person.
remember that when you are given information, two pairs of ears are often better than one. having someone accompany you, it's your right!
useful links
Prévention suicide:
Ligne d’intervention auprès des personnes suicidaires ou de leurs proches.
SOS Violence conjugale: 1 800 363-9010
Service d’accueil, d’évaluation, d’information, de sensibilisation, de soutien et de référence aux victimes de violence conjugale et leurs proches.
Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec : 1 888 528-7741
Les demandes d’accès au dossier médical ne font pas partie du mandat du CAAP – Laval.
Commission des droits de la personne: 1 800 361-6477
Si vous êtes victime d’exploitation ou si vous croyez qu’un proche en subit.
Le Barreau du Québec
Ligne agression sexuelle: 1 888 933-9007
Ligne d’écoute, d’information et de référence destinée aux victimes d’agression sexuelle et leurs proches.
DIRA Laval: 450 681-8813
Service d’accueil et d’accompagnement pour les personnes de 50 ans et plus victimes d’abus, de violence ou de négligence.
Ligne Aide Abus Aînés: 1 888 489-2287
Ligne d’aide destinée aux aînés qui subissent des abus ou à leurs proches.