Public Services

Patient Rights

The relationship between patients and healthcare practitioners is built on trust, respect, and open communication. Every patient has the right to receive safe, competent, and ethical care from registered healthcare practitioners. In return, patients also have responsibilities that contribute to effective healthcare.

Your Rights

Rights of a Patient

Right to Informed Consent

You must be fully informed about your diagnosis, proposed treatment, alternatives, risks, and expected outcomes before agreeing to any procedure. No intervention may be carried out without your voluntary, informed consent except in a life-threatening emergency.

Right to Dignity and Respect

You have the right to be treated with courtesy and dignity at all times, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, age, or socioeconomic status. Discriminatory or demeaning treatment by a registered practitioner is a breach of professional conduct.

Right to Confidentiality

Your medical information is confidential. A practitioner must not disclose your personal health details to third parties without your consent, except where required by law or to prevent serious harm to you or others.

Right to Access Your Medical Records

You have the right to access your own medical records and to request copies. Practitioners must provide accurate, complete, and legible records. You may also authorise another person to access records on your behalf.

Right to Know Your Practitioner's Qualifications

You have the right to know the name and registration status of any practitioner treating you. A practitioner must not misrepresent their qualifications or registration status. You can verify any practitioner's registration free of charge on the SLMC online register.

Right to a Second Opinion

You have the right to seek a second medical opinion from another registered practitioner. A practitioner must not obstruct or discourage you from doing so, and must support a request for specialist referral where appropriate.

Right to Refuse Treatment

A competent adult patient has the right to refuse any proposed treatment, even if that refusal may result in harm to health. Practitioners must respect an informed refusal and document it appropriately.

Right to Complain

If you believe a registered practitioner has behaved below acceptable professional standards, you have the right to make a formal complaint to the Sri Lanka Medical Council. All complaints are treated confidentially and investigated impartially.

Legal Basis

These rights are upheld through the Medical Ordinance (Cap. 105) and its amendments, and the SLMC Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.

Acts & Regulations

Quick Access

Verify a Practitioner

Check current registration status.

Raise a Concern

Submit a complaint about a practitioner.

Disciplinary Process

How SLMC investigates complaints.

Ethics in Practice

Professional ethical standards for practitioners.

Professional Conduct

Standards every registered practitioner must meet.

Important Notice

SLMC regulates professional conduct only. For clinical negligence compensation, seek independent legal advice. SLMC cannot award financial damages.

Introduction

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) is committed to promoting safe, ethical, and patient-centred healthcare. Every patient has the right to receive safe, respectful, and competent care from registered healthcare practitioners. At the same time, patients play an important role in their own healthcare by providing accurate information, participating in decision-making, and respecting healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities. A shared commitment to these rights and responsibilities helps build trust and improve healthcare outcomes.

Your Rights as a Patient

Receive Safe and Competent Care

You have the right to receive care from healthcare practitioners who are appropriately qualified, registered, and committed to maintaining professional standards. You have the right to know the name and registration status of any practitioner treating you. A practitioner must not misrepresent their qualifications or registration status. You can verify any practitioner's registration free of charge on the SLMC online register.

You have the right to seek a second medical opinion from another registered practitioner. A practitioner must not obstruct or discourage you from doing so, and must support a request for specialist referral where appropriate.

Be Treated with Respect and Dignity

You have the right to be treated courteously, respectfully, and without discrimination regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or personal circumstances.

Receive Information About Your Care

You have the right to receive clear and understandable information about your diagnosis, treatment options, expected benefits, possible risks, and alternatives so that you can make informed decisions.

Give or Refuse Consent

You have the right to decide whether to accept or refuse treatment after receiving adequate information, except where otherwise provided by law.

Privacy and Confidentiality

You have the right to expect that your personal and medical information will be kept confidential and shared only with your consent. However, the practitioner has a legal binding to share such information if it is required by law or to prevent serious harm to you or others in your family or community.

Ask Questions and Participate in Decisions

You have the right to ask questions, seek clarification, and participate actively in decisions about your healthcare.

Raise Concerns or Make a Complaint

If you have concerns about the professional conduct of a registered healthcare practitioner, please submit your complaint to the Sri Lanka Medical Council through the official complaints process. This enables the Council to assess the matter objectively, protect the rights of all parties, and take appropriate action where warranted. You may also complaint to the relevant hospital authority or Ministry of Health depending on the nature of the issue. We discourage raising unverified allegations on social media, as this may spread misinformation, undermine public confidence in the healthcare system, and prejudice a fair investigation. In some circumstances, defamatory or false statements published online may also give rise to legal consequences against you under the laws of Sri Lanka.

Your Responsibilities as a Patient

Provide Accurate Information

Provide complete and accurate information about your symptoms, medical history, medications, allergies, and other relevant health information.

Keep Appointments or Notify Changes

Attend scheduled appointments in time. Do not book multiple appointments at different hospitals to see the same consultant on the same day just because they accept phone bookings free of charge. Inform the healthcare provider as early as possible if you are unable to attend. Give a working phone number when you book the appointment, for the hospital to contact you if there is a delay in the appointment time.

Follow the Agreed Treatment Plan

Work together with your healthcare practitioner by following the agreed treatment plan or discussing any concerns you may have.

Treat Healthcare Professionals with Respect

Treat healthcare practitioners and hospital staff with courtesy and respect. To protect the privacy and dignity of everyone within a healthcare facility, please do not photograph, video record, or audio record consultations, patient waiting areas, or hospital staff without the necessary consent. Respecting privacy helps maintain a safe and trusted healthcare environment. Unauthorised recording or sharing of such material may constitute an infringement of privacy and may be subject to legal action.

Ask Questions When You Do Not Understand

If you do not understand your diagnosis, treatment, or instructions, ask for clarification before making decisions. Having a pre-prepared list of questions that you need answers from the practitioner will save time as well as give more information. Please refrain from asking the same questions repeatedly as it will not provide more information.

Respect Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities are shared environments where patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals work together to deliver and receive care. Please respect hospital rules, protect the privacy of others, and help maintain a calm and safe environment. If you have concerns about the care you receive, raise them respectfully through the appropriate channels. Aggressive, abusive, or violent behaviour towards healthcare staff or other patients is unacceptable and may result in legal action.

Use Healthcare Services Responsibly

Use healthcare services appropriately and provide feedback in a constructive manner to help improve patient care.

Working Together for Better Healthcare

High-quality healthcare is built on mutual trust, respect, and open communication between patients and healthcare practitioners. Understanding your rights and fulfilling your responsibilities helps create a safe, respectful, and collaborative healthcare environment that benefits everyone.