YOU MATTER! KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

As a patient you have certain rights. Some are guaranteed by the law of the country in which you live, such as the right to informed consent. This means that if you need a treatment – such as ostomy surgery – your healthcare provider must give you the information you need to make a decision. If you believe you are not receiving the care you need, you must speak up as an empowered member of your healthcare team.

The Ostomate Bill is in place to make sure that the rights of all stoma wearers are prioritised at all times. The Ostomate Bill ensures the following:

Receive pre-operative counselling to ensure that they are fully aware of the benefits of the operation and the essential facts about
living with a stoma.
Have a well-constructed stoma placed at an appropriate site, and with full and proper consideration to the comfort of the patient.
Receive experienced and professional medical support and stoma nursing care in the pre-operative and post-operative period both
in hospitals and in their community.
Receive support and information for the benefit of the family, personal caregivers, and friends to increase their understanding of the
conditions and adjustments which are necessary for achieving a satisfactory standard of life with a stoma.
Receive full and impartial information about all relevant supplies and products available in their Country.
Have unrestricted access to a variety of affordable ostomy products.
Be given information about their National Ostomy Association and the services and support which can be provided.
Be protected against all forms of discrimination.
Receive assurance that personal information regarding their ostomy surgery will be treated with discretion and confidentiality to
maintain privacy; and that no information about their medication condition will be disclosed by anyone possessing this information,
to an entity that engages in the manufacture, sales, or distribution of ostomy related products; nor shall it be disclosed to any person
that will benefit, directly or indirectly, because of their relation to the commercial ostomy market without the expressed consent of
the ostomate.