Signed and Ratified
 Patient Rights in Finland

Right to Informed Consent

    Basic requirement
    Information preceding the     Consent    
    Minors
    Incapacitated Adults
Right to Information about his or her Health
Rights regarding the Medical File
Right to Privacy
Right to Complain and to Compensation
 
Rights of Users of Genetic Services
 

 



  1. The opinion of a minor patient on a treatment measure has to be assessed if it is possible with regard to his/ her age or level of development. If a minor patient owing to his/ her age and level of development can decide on the treatment given to him/her, he/she has to be cared in mutual understanding with him/her. A physician or another healthcare professional will assess the level of development of a child or youg person.
    If a minor patient cannot decide on the treatment given to him/her, he/she has to be cared in mutual understanding with his/her guardian or legal representative.
  2. The patient’s legal representative, close relative, or other person closely connected with the patient shall be entitled to receive any information regarding the patient’s state of health that may be required to enable them to express an opinion and give their consent.
    If a minor patient because of his/her age or level of development can decide on the treatment given to him/her, he/she has a right to forbid providing his/ her guardian or other legal representative with information on his state of health and care.
    Otherwise the information shall be given to the guardian or other legal representative of a minor patient. The guardian or other legal representative of a minor patient do not have the right to forbid treatment necessary to ward off a threat to the life or health of the patient.
    The guardian or other legal representative of a minor or shall not have the right to forbid any care which may be required to avert a threat to the patient’s life or health.

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