Patient Consent & Medical Records
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions.
Saudi National Law
What is this right?
Saudi law protects your rights to make informed medical decisions and access your records:
- Informed consent: Doctors must explain the diagnosis, treatment options, risks, and alternatives before proceeding. You have the right to refuse treatment.
- Written consent: Surgical procedures and high-risk treatments require your written informed consent.
- Medical records access: You have the right to access and receive copies of your medical records.
- Confidentiality: Your medical information is confidential. Healthcare providers cannot share it without your consent except where the law requires (such as reporting communicable diseases).
- Second opinion: You have the right to seek a second medical opinion at any time.
- Language: If you do not speak Arabic, the hospital should provide interpretation services to ensure you understand your treatment.
When does it apply?
- You are receiving medical treatment at any hospital or clinic in Saudi Arabia.
- You want to access your medical records or transfer them to another provider.
- A doctor is proceeding with treatment without your consent.
What should you do?
- Ask questions about any treatment — your doctor must explain it in terms you understand.
- Do not sign consent forms until you fully understand what you are agreeing to.
- Request your medical records in writing from the hospital's medical records department.
- If your rights are violated, file a complaint with the Ministry of Health (call 937) or the hospital's patient relations department.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not sign consent forms in a language you don't understand — request translation first.
- Do not assume silence is consent — the doctor must get your explicit agreement.
- Do not hesitate to seek a second opinion — it is your legal right.
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