Patient rights

The right to emergency medical assistance is an absolute right, as it cannot be conditioned, especially not by payment or a referral

The patient has the right to be treated equally in healthcare, regardless of any personal circumstance (e.g., age, religion, gender, nationality, disability, financial status), just like all other patients.

The law gives the patient the right to freely choose not only a doctor but also the healthcare provider (health institution), regardless of their place of residence.

Appropriate healthcare considers both the patient's specific health needs and the capabilities of the healthcare system in Slovenia.

High-quality healthcare ensures treatment outcomes that are comparable to standards and best practices while respecting the fundamental principles of quality.

Safe healthcare prevents harm to the patient, especially health damage.

Emergency medical assistance is urgent action needed to preserve vital functions or prevent irreversible and severe deterioration of the patient's health condition, including transport by ambulance. Emergency medical assistance must be provided immediately.

Healthcare providers are required to organize their work so that patients do not wait longer than necessary before a consultation.

The law allows the patient, in case they have been waiting for a healthcare service for more than three months, to request a follow-up appointment with the doctor who referred them to the healthcare service.

If a patient was unable to attend the healthcare service for justified reasons, the healthcare provider is obliged to inform them of a new, as soon as possible, appointment date.

A healthcare provider can only remove a patient from the waiting list if the patient has missed their scheduled appointment and has not justified their absence within 14 days from the missed appointment date.

A written professional opinion must be provided to the patient at the end of the examination or within three working days after the examination.

In urgent cases, a written professional opinion must be provided immediately.

The law stipulates that the patient has the right to be informed:

• about their health condition and the probable course and consequences of the illness or injury,

• about the type, method of implementation, likelihood of success, and expected benefits and outcomes of the proposed treatment,

• about possible risks, side effects, negative consequences, and other discomforts of the proposed treatment,

• about the consequences of discontinuing treatment,

• about possible alternative treatment options,

• about treatments that are not available in Slovenia,

• about treatments that are not covered by health insurance,

• about the results of treatment and any potential complications.

The law also stipulates that the physician responsible for treatment must provide the patient with explanations: in direct contact, politely, in a way that is understandable to the patient, fully, and in a timely manner.

The patient must be given the opportunity to know who is treating them and to have access to general information about the healthcare provider. In the areas where healthcare services are provided (e.g., clinics, offices), the names, titles, and working hours of healthcare staff must be visibly posted.

If the patient partially or fully pays for the healthcare services themselves, the healthcare provider must present the patient with written information about the expected costs of the services in advance. Upon the patient's request, the healthcare provider must also provide an explanation of the final bill.

The law emphasizes that the patient has the right to consent to healthcare. Consent is typically given orally. For surgical and other medical procedures involving higher risks or greater burdens, consent must be given in writing on a special form.

The patient can withdraw their consent at any time.

The patient can revoke a prior refusal at any time.

The patient is not required to explain why they have refused healthcare, and such a refusal must not have any consequences in the relationship between the patient and the healthcare staff.

The patient has the right to designate a healthcare representative (e.g., spouse, partner, parents) who will make decisions about the patient's healthcare in the event and for the duration of their incapacity to make decisions for themselves.

The patient has the right to refuse healthcare in advance. This right allows the patient to express their wishes regarding what types of healthcare they do not wish to receive, should they ever find themselves in a situation where they are unable to directly refuse healthcare.

The patient has the right to have all necessary measures taken to eliminate or alleviate pain and other suffering related to their illness or injury to the greatest possible extent. The patient has the right to have all necessary measures taken to eliminate or alleviate pain and other suffering related to their illness or injury.

The patient has the right to obtain a second opinion at any time for the evaluation of the same health condition and treatment procedures, provided by a doctor of the relevant specialty or a medical panel.

The law grants the patient the right to view, transcribe, and copy their own health documentation.

The law ensures that the patient's personal data and sensitive information held by healthcare staff can only be disclosed to individuals as stipulated by law or as authorized by the patient themselves.

Healthcare providers must respect the patient's religious, philosophical, and other beliefs.

During a medical procedure or healthcare provision, only healthcare professionals involved in the procedure and individuals whom the patient wishes to be present are allowed to be present.

The procedure for addressing violations is two-step:

1. First step: The violation of patient rights is initially addressed by the responsible person at the healthcare provider's office, based on a written or verbal request. If the issue is not resolved in the first step, the patient may seek further protection through a second step.

2. Second step: The violation is then handled by the Commission of the Republic of Slovenia for the Protection of Patient Rights. This can be done through:

   • A settlement procedure between the patient and the healthcare provider,

   • Mediation with the assistance of a mediator, who facilitates communication between the patient and the healthcare provider, or

   • A procedure before a three-member panel, consisting of a representative of non-governmental organizations, a healthcare expert, and a legal professional.

A patient may, at any time, contact a patient rights representative, who can advise, assist, or even represent the patient in exercising their rights under this law.

The services of the representative are free of charge for the patient throughout the entire process and are confidential.