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Rights and Responsibilities

You are entitled to expect and receive high quality services at Tweddle Child and Family Health Service

Tweddle supports and is committed to the Australian Charter of Health Care Rights which outlines the right of patients using the Australian Health System. This charter promotes a partnership between you and Tweddle.

Kobi Sainty Aboriginal Artwork Tweddle

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights

Service provision in a safe environment

You have a right to feel safe and comfortable while at Tweddle. As a Child Safe Organisation, Tweddle has a range of strategies to protect and promote the safety of children using our services. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s safety while using Tweddle’s services, please speak to our Child Safety Officer. Also see the section below titled ‘Comment on your care’.

Have access to an accredited interpreter if needed

You are entitled to request an accredited interpreter and use an interpreting service for essential information such as admission and discussion about your medical history and program.

Services provided in a culturally sensitive way

You have the right to be treated in a way that respects your culture and beliefs.

Respect, dignity and consideration for privacy whilst in a Tweddle program

As far as possible, Tweddle will provide your program in surroundings that allow privacy.

Comment on your care

You have the right to give positive or negative feedback, ask questions, provide compliments or make complaints about your care. It is always best to try and resolve your complaint with Tweddle.
If you are not satisfied with how Tweddle is responding to your concerns, you have a right to make a complaint to the Victorian Health Service Commissioner (see more information below). You can provide your feedback to Tweddle by visiting Feedback – Tweddle

Participate in making decisions about your program

You should be fully involved in decisions about your program and be given opportunities to ask questions and discuss your program.

Participate in decisions and receive information about your discharge

You have the right to participate in decisions and to receive information about available services.

Access to your health records and confidentiality for your personal information

You have the right to see your health records. This can be done through Tweddle or through Freedom of Information. Tweddle can advise you on how to make this request.

Your Responsibilities

You have the responsibility to:
  • Work with the Tweddle team by providing relevant information about your health and circumstances that may influence the provision of your program or stay at Tweddle.
  • Treat Tweddle staff and other clients with respect and consideration.

Child Safe Organisation

Tweddle offers a Child Safe environment by putting the best interests of children first to ensure their rights and needs are met.  We apply this principle in policy and practice, screen applicants for suitability to work with children and promote a culture of child safety, wellbeing and identification and prevention of harm.  Tweddle has a duty to respond to any concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.

Tweddle is a child-safe, family-friendly workplace and an equal opportunity employer, offering generous working conditions. We celebrate families from all walks of life and foster diversity, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging in principle and practice.

Information-for-Parents-and-Carers-about-the-Child-Safe-Standards

Child Safe Poster Speak Up Illustrated

Access to your health records and confidentiality for your personal information

Maintenance of medical records is in full compliance with DHHS reporting requirements and the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Health Information Act.

You have the right to see or obtain a copy of your health records. This can be done through Tweddle or through Freedom of Information. Everyone involved in your program has a professional and legal duty to keep information about you confidential.

How do I make an application?

All formal requests for access to documents of Tweddle Child and Family Health Service under the provision of Freedom of information Act are to be made in writing to the address below. Please include sufficient information about the document and fill in the required form to enable it to be identified and provide a $25.00 application fee.

FOI – Freedom of Information Application form

Send the request to:

Freedom of Information Officer
Tweddle Child and Family Health Service
49-71 Adelaide St
Footscray  VIC  3011

Where access to documents is granted to inspect, obtain or purchase material, arrangements will be made during normal office hours, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. Charges for access to documents under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act will be in accordance with the standard provisions of the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulation 1993.

Embracing Equality Pledge

Embracing Equality Pledge

Policies, Procedures and More Information

Health Complaints Commissioner:

Call:  1300 582 113
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.hcc.vic.gov.au/contact

Send a letter to or visit:
Level 26
570 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Diversity; Everyone is unique, included and heard.
Equity; Advocacy for fair opportunities.
Inclusion; Meaningful participation for all.
Belonging; Be your authentic self.

Tweddle acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We believe in supporting babies, toddlers, children and families to stay connected to cultures, communities and Countries. 

  • Tweddle welcomes people of different age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, intersex status, culture, sexual orientation, relationship status, language, faith, ability levels and socio-economic backgrounds. 
  • We take an intersectional approach in reducing inequality and discrimination by embedding safe, inclusive and affirming partnerships. 
  • We celebrate families from all walks of life and promote diversity, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging in principle and practice.
baby and mum

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