In your language: information and translations

The Victorian government recognises the importance of ensuring that Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have full and fair access to healthcare services.

As a patient or consumer of a publicly-funded healthcare service such as a public hospital or healthcare service, you have the right to an accredited interpreter for communication needs with your healthcare provider. Interpreters should be provided at important points during your care, such as when discussing medical history, treatments, test results, diagnoses, during admission and assessment and when you are required to give informed consent.

Informed consent is the voluntary agreement by a patient to a proposed health care management approach given after proper and adequate information is conveyed to the patient about the proposed management, including potential risks and benefits and alternative management options.

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights in Victoria brochure is available as an audio file, in Braille or as a free printed brochure (order or ask your healthcare service), or in English and 25 community languages.

This website also includes additional information and ideas for healthcare services and providers about working with patients and consumers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as links to a number of Victorian government programs and non-government organisations working on issues of ethnicity and health.

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