Victim's rights in healthcare
Victims of violence are entitled to medical care. They can receive treatment in a protected room without the presence of family members or partners. They can decide for themselves whether they want to see visitors or not. They have the right to be informed and decide whether they consent to treatment (Patients' Rights Act, in German: Patientenrechtegesetz). Those providing treatment are subject to a duty of confidentiality.
You also have the right to receive immediate crisis assistance and psychosocial support that can contribute to your recovery and well-being.
If there is an immediate danger to the safety of the person concerned or the children involved, you can contact the police to obtain the necessary protection. If there is a risk to the welfare of children, help is available from the relevant youth welfare office.
Healthcare services are divided into outpatient and inpatient healthcare
Outpatient medical care in Germany is provided in general practitioner (GP) practices and specialist practices. Further treatment is usually provided by referral from the GP practice to a specialist practice. As there is a free choice of doctor in Germany, insured persons can also decide directly which doctor's, dentist's or psychotherapist's practice they go to.
Most doctors' practices have an acute consultation hour if health problems have arisen at short-term notice that need to be investigated. If you need help finding a regular appointment, you can contact the health insurance company's appointment service online and receive an appointment with a specialist within 4 weeks.
If outpatient medical care is not sufficient, the doctor's surgery will refer you to an outpatient or inpatient treatment centre for further specialist medical treatment.
The Public Health Service (in German: öffentlicher Gesundheitsdienst, ÖGD) supplements outpatient care in doctors' surgeries and inpatient care in hospitals. Among other things, the ÖGD is responsible for people for whom insurance cover has not been clarified or does not exist. The ÖGD offers various services, e.g. for sexual health and family planning, or psychiatric care and has teams with different professional groups.
You have a right to treatment. Fundamental patient rights are:
- the right to inspect treatment records,
- the right to information and health education,
- the right to self-determination, which means that a medical procedure may only be carried out with the patient's consent.
- Obligation to document in the patient file.
- Ask for the victim’s consent before letting in any visitors.
Doctors can involve the youth welfare office if there is a risk to the child's welfare.
All healthcare professionals are subject to a duty of confidentiality, including towards partners and family. Have the confidence to tell the doctor if you have been injured in your relationship. You have the right to be examined and treated without the presence of accompanying persons.
- You can obtain court-proof documentation following domestic and/or sexual violence from many central emergency rooms/rescue centres, violence protection outpatient clinics or forensic medicine institutes
