Your Rights and Responsibilities

Consulting a dietitian? What are your rights and responsibilities?

Accredited Practising Dietitians and members of DA adhere to a Code of Professional Conduct and and agree that patients/clients have the right to:

• be listened to and treated with respect and consideration;
• receive services without exploitation;
• receive services without discrimination, including, but not limited to, issues of age, sex, culture, ethnicity, religion, political belief, sexual orientation or health status;
• receive safe and high quality services supported by current evidence based knowledge and/or practice guidelines;
• be included within decisions and choices about their treatment or care;
• receive sufficient information, in a form which they can understand, about their condition and its treatment options to allow them to make informed decisions and act on advice;
• be referred to another practitioner where another opinion or specialist service is required or requested;
• grant, withhold or withdraw consent to treatment or the performance of any procedure at any stage during a course of treatment or care;
• raise any concerns and have these addressed;
• have information relating to them kept confidential and released to others only with their permission or when the law or the safety of the public requires release;
• receive a copy of the results of any tests and analyses conducted;
• have a copy or summary of their records sent to another practitioner when required or requested;
• receive an itemised account detailing fees and charges;
• complain without fear of any repercussions; and
• access a formal complaints process if an issue cannot be resolved with the practitioner.

In order for the dietitian to provide you with the best service and advice you are responsible for:

• attending appointments on time or making a cancellation if necessary;
• ensuring all documentation, such as referrals and results from the doctor or other health professional, is given to the dietitian and up to date;
• providing sufficient information to allow the dietitian to make an accurate assessment;
• being truthful when asked about eating patterns, portion sizes, physical activity, medical history or other related issues;
• not expecting the dietitian to provide treatment or advice beyond their scope of practice;
• understanding that individuals need to take responsibility for their own health; and
• paying accounts, if any, in a timely manner.

When something doesn’t seem right — How do I make a complaint?

If you are unhappy with some aspect of your treatment or believe that the dietitian has acted inappropriately the following options are available:

• speak to the dietitian in the first instance and voice your concerns. Most issues can be dealt with this way especially if there has been a misunderstanding.

If the direct approach doesn’t work or the matter is more serious you may:

• use the formal complaints process or speak to their supervisor where the dietitian is employed in a health service, hospital or large practice; and
• make a complaint to the DA via the formal Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure; or
• lodge a complaint with the healthcare complaints body in your state or territory if one exists.

Please note: DA can only act on complaints about Accredited Practising Dietitians and members of the Association.

To lodge a complaint with DA, please refer to ‘How to make a complaint’ or contact the Credentialing Manager via credentialing@dietitiansaustralia.org.au or phone 02 6189 1200.