A to Z of your rights

All 30 topics on one page.

• End of lifeA 'do not resuscitate' decision was made without asking usDoctors must involve you before putting a DNACPR (do not attempt CPR) decision on your record, unless discussing it would cause you physical or psychological harm. If you lack capacity, they should consult your family.
• GP accessA GP surgery won't let me registerAnyone in England can register with a GP and see a GP for free. You don't need proof of address, ID or a particular immigration status.
• CapacityDecisions are being made for me (or someone I love)The law assumes you can make your own decisions. Even an unwise decision is not proof that you can't make it.
• FundingHospital discharge and who pays for careIf your main need is a health need, the NHS may have to pay for all of your care through NHS Continuing Healthcare, wherever you live.
• FundingHow much will I have to pay for care?The council must carry out a financial assessment before charging you, and must leave you with a minimum amount to live on. Your home isn't always counted.
• ConsentI don't want this treatment, or I wasn't told the risksIf you have capacity, you can refuse any treatment, even if refusing could harm you. Doctors must tell you about the risks that matter to you, not just the risks they think matter.
• Social careI need help to manage at homeIf you appear to need care and support, your council must assess you. It doesn't matter how much money you have, and you don't need a referral from a doctor.
• SafeguardingI think someone is being abused or neglectedAnyone can raise a safeguarding concern. The council must make enquiries if an adult with care needs may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
• RecordsI want to see my medical or care recordsYou have the right to a copy of your own records. It's usually free, and the provider normally has one month to respond.
• Speaking upI work in care and want to raise a concernIf you raise a genuine concern about patient safety or wrongdoing, the law protects you from being treated badly or dismissed for it.
• Pay & hoursI'm a care worker and I'm not paid properlyTravel time between home-care visits counts as working time for minimum wage. Sponsored overseas workers have extra protection from being charged fees.
• CarersI'm a carer and I'm strugglingUnpaid carers have rights of their own. You can have your own assessment, even if the person you care for refuses theirs.
• Safety at workI'm asked to do tasks I'm not trained forYour employer must make sure you're trained and competent for every task, such as giving medication, PEG feeding or using a hoist. Doing tasks you aren't trained for puts you and the person you support at risk.
• VisitingI'm being stopped from visitingIn England, since April 2024, care homes, hospitals and hospices registered with the CQC must support visiting. People can usually have someone with them at appointments too.
• HarassmentI'm facing racism or harassment at workYou're protected from harassment and discrimination. Employers must also take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, including by people you support and their families.
• VisasI'm on a Health and Care Worker visa and my job is at riskIf you lose your sponsored job, or your employer loses its licence, you won't usually have to leave straight away. You usually get time to find a new sponsor. Your employer can't charge you its sponsorship costs.
• PregnancyI'm pregnant and work in careCare work can involve heavy lifting, infections and long shifts. Once you tell your employer in writing that you're pregnant, they must check the risks and change your work if needed.
• Young carersI'm under 18 and I look after someoneIf you're a young carer, the council must assess what support you need, so that caring doesn't stop you being a child, going to school or seeing friends.
• Safety at workI've been hurt or threatened at workViolence and aggression are not 'part of the job'. Your employer must assess the risks, put safety measures in place, and support you after an incident.
• Mental healthI've been sectioned or detainedBeing detained doesn't remove your rights. You must be told why you're held, how long for, and how to challenge it.
• DisciplinaryI've been suspended, accused or referred to the DBSBeing accused doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. You have the right to a fair process, to see the evidence, to be accompanied, and to answer any DBS 'minded to bar' letter.
• ChargingI've been told I'll be charged for NHS careSome people who aren't 'ordinarily resident' in the UK can be charged for hospital care. But many services are free for everyone, and urgent treatment must never be refused because you can't pay upfront.
• Waiting timesI've been waiting too long for treatmentIn England, the NHS Constitution gives you a legal right to choose where you're referred, and to start non-urgent consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks.
• EqualityMy disability or condition isn't being accommodatedHealth and care services must make reasonable adjustments, such as longer appointments, easy-read letters, a quiet space or an interpreter.
• UrgentMy loved one is getting worse in hospital and no one is listeningIn NHS hospitals in England, patients and families can ask for an urgent review by a different clinical team if they're worried someone is getting worse.
• LibertyMy relative isn't allowed to leave their care home or hospitalIf someone who lacks capacity is under continuous supervision and control and isn't free to leave, they're deprived of their liberty. That must be legally authorised, and they have the right to challenge it.
• BereavementSomeone died, and I have questions about their careBereaved families have the right to ask questions, see records, and in some cases be part of an inquest. In England and Wales, an independent medical examiner looks at deaths that aren't referred to a coroner.
• ComplaintsSomething went wrong with my careProviders must be open with you when things go wrong. You have the right to complain, get a proper answer, and escalate if you're not satisfied.
• Care homesThe care home has given notice to leaveCare homes must treat residents fairly under consumer law. They can't ask someone to leave without good reason, proper notice and consultation, and never as punishment for complaining.
• Pay & hoursWhat are my basic rights at work as a care worker?Whether you're on a contract or zero hours, you have core rights from day one: written terms, payslips, rest breaks, paid holiday and at least the minimum wage.