Patients' rights
In order to ensure patients' legal rights, a number of laws have
been passed in Denmark regulating patients' rights and the possibility
of making complaints and receiving damages.The aim of these laws
is to create a set of rules to ensure patients the best possible
treatment and care in all situations.
Doctors are obliged to inform the
patient about his illness, the possibility of treatment, the side effects etc.
with a view to gaining the patient's consent to the treatment, the so-called "in-formed
consent". It is also possible to set up a "life will", informing
doctors about one's wishes regarding pain, treatment and prolongation of life
treatment if one is no longer able to communicate. Patients have a right
to see their own medical records free of charge, and doctors or other medically
trained persons have the obligation to interpret case records if the patient so
wishes.
Medical staff must not divulge any information regarding an individual
patient. Such information can normally only be passed on to another
authority/doctor with the consent of the patient.
A complaints system has also been established
regarding professional treatment in the health service. The Patients' Complaints
Board is an impartial public authority which may express criticism of the medical
staff or submit particularly serious cases to the public prosecutor with a view
to taking the cases to court. Patients may also claim damages in connection
with treatment in public hospitals through the Patient Insurance Scheme, which
was set up in 1992. Patients may receive compensation for harm caused by
medicinal products.
Subsequently it is possible, easier and faster to receive damages
for loss of pay, loss of economic capacity as well as compensation
for permanent disability and for pain and suffering.
A special damages agreement
has been established for HIV positive haemophiliacs and those infected through
transfusions.
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DENMARK