Service User Rights and Responsibilities

Service users have the right to:

• Assessment to be carried out within ten working days
• Following assessment clients will be referred to specialist services within two weeks
• Be fully informed about treatment opinions available to them and will have informed involvement in making decisions concerning their treatment
• To participate in their care plan and in the writing and reviewing of that care plan
• Respect for privacy, dignity and confidentiality, and an explanation of any (exceptional) circumstances in which information will be divulged to others
• A written statement of drug user's rights
• Service user contract, specifying clearly the type of service to be delivered and the expected quality standards
• An effective complaints system
• Information about self - help groups and drug user advocacy groups

Service user's responsibilities to the service provider include

• Observing "project" rules and accepted behaviour, as defined by SMART (e.g. not using drugs on the premises, treating staff with dignity and respect, and observing equal opportunities).
• Specific responsibilities within the framework of a care plan or treatment contract (e.g. keeping appointment times and observing medication regimes).

NB: The rights outlined above are in line with the NHS and Community Care Act (1990) and the Patients Charter (1991)