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NOTICE OF CLIENT’S RIGHTS
We believe that every person is
entitled to the dignity of his or her own individuality. Ideally
s/he should grow into a whole person, through processes of
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finding pride and peace of
mind;
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earning understanding and
respect from others; and
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building a secure sense of
belonging in family and community.
The same tasks continue
throughout adult life. The mental health role is to help adults and
children with problems of personal growth. Our staff seeks to
provide a caring and helpful environment so you can try to make
better sense of your problems.
We will team up with you to focus your thinking, to own your
emotions and to face the decisions you need to make. Your therapist
will be like a temporary coach.
When you seek to work with us, IT IS YOUR RIGHT:
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To a plan of treatment
worked out with you, for you and about your specific needs.
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To have a full explanation
of all services offered.
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To raise questions or
objections to parts of the treatment plan.
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To withdraw from treatment
voluntarily,
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unless legally
mandated to participate by a court or a court appointed
conservator;
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unless you are a child
and required to participate by your parent or guardian;
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unless your state of
mind or conduct is considered dangerous to yourself or
others.
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To have privacy and the
protection of confidentiality according to mental hygiene law,
although:
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if you present a
danger or threat to yourself or someone else, we would be
obliged to contact a close relative or the police if
appropriate;
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if we became aware of
probable child abuse, we would be under a legal
obligation to contact the Child Abuse Hotline in Albany;
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if your clinic record
is relevant to a matter which involves the welfare of a
child before the Family Court, the Court can sometimes
subpoena information.
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To receive service in a
manner which does not discriminate with respect to race, gender,
sexual orientation, age, handicap, or multiple diagnoses
(including HIV and AIDS).
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To file and pursue a
grievance if you feel your rights have been violated or that you
have suffered disrespect or abuse by clinic staff. See procedure
below.**
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To seek access to your
clinical record. Your therapist will assist you with the
procedure. See below.*
Also in working with us, IT IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY,
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To keep the appointments
you make;
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To notify us in advance
when you cannot keep an appointment;
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To pay fees appropriate to
your financial resources;
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We will need
information concerning your medical insurance including
signed forms;
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We will need accurate
information concerning your finances, including sources and
amounts of income;
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To provide us with written
releases to secure medical information concerning other
treatment you receive (or have received) which may effect your
treatment and welfare.
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To respect prohibitions
against smoking and any weapons within clinic facilities.
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*According to
Section 33.16 of Mental Hygiene Law, you are allowed to have
access to your own clinical record. You are encouraged to
discuss the contents of the record with your therapist. If you
want a copy of materials from your record or you want to inspect
your record, you must complete a written request form. Your
therapist or office staff can provide you with the form.
If the patient is a child, the parent (or guardian) who
authorized the treatment can make the request (as can the
committee of an incompetent adult.)
Access will be granted within 10 working days, unless doing so
would cause you or others some substantial or identifiable harm.
When access is denied, fully or partially, you may appeal to the
Chairperson, Clinical Records Access Review Committee, New York
State Office of Mental Health, 44 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY
12229.
When access is granted a reproduction fee of .75 per page will
be charged, payable in advance, unless you can prove financial
hardship to the Director.
**If you have a grievance, we hope you will not hesitate
to speak with the staff involved in your treatment. If the issue
is not then resolved, you may write your grievance, question,
complaint, or objection to the Mental Health Clinic Complaint
Officer who will respond within 10 working days of the date of
your letter.
If you still feel your issues have not been addressed
adequately, you can contact one or more of the following:
NYS Commission on Quality Care for the Mentally Disabled
401 State Street
Schnectady, NY 12305
Telephone: (518) 381-7102
Consumer Complaint Hotline
Telephone: 1-800-624-4143
New York State Office of Mental Health
44 Holland Avenue
Albany, NY 12229
Telephone: 1-800-597-8481
En Espanol: 1-800-210-6456
TDD: 1-800-597-9810
Alliance for the Mentally Ill of New York State
260 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
Telephone: (518) 462-2000
Local Group:
Alliance for the Mentally Ill
President – Rina Reba
1723 Upper Meeker Hollow Road
Roxbury, NY 12474
Telephone: (607)
326-4797
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