Patient Consent & Medical Records in Saudi Arabia
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Saudi law protects your right to make informed medical decisions and control your health data — with increasing digitisation through NPHIES and Wasfaty:
- 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. Many hospitals now provide digital access through patient portals linked to NPHIES.
- Confidentiality: Your medical information is confidential. Healthcare providers cannot share it without your consent except where legally required (communicable disease reporting, court orders).
- Electronic prescriptions: The Wasfaty system means your prescriptions are transmitted directly from your doctor to the pharmacy network — you can fill them at any participating pharmacy.
- Second opinion: You have the right to seek a second medical opinion at any time, and can request a Seha telemedicine consultation for convenience.
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 explaining the options or obtaining your consent.
What to Do If a Doctor Proceeded Without Your Informed Consent or Denied Access to Your Medical Records in Saudi Arabia
- 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 translation if the form is only in Arabic.
- Request your medical records from the hospital's medical records department. Ask about NPHIES-connected digital access for faster retrieval.
- Use Wasfaty to track your prescriptions and fill them at any participating pharmacy.
- If your rights are violated, call the MOH 937 hotline or file a complaint through the hospital's patient relations department.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not sign consent forms in a language you do not understand — request an Arabic-to-your-language translation before signing.
- Do not assume silence is consent — the doctor must obtain your explicit agreement for any procedure.
- Do not hesitate to seek a second opinion — use Seha telemedicine if visiting another facility in person is inconvenient.
Common Questions
When does it apply — patient consent & medical records?
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 explaining the options or obtaining your consent.
What should I do if a doctor in Saudi Arabia performed a procedure without explaining it or getting my proper consent?
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 translation if the form is only in Arabic.Request your medical records from the hospital's medical records department. Ask about NPHIES-connected digital access for faster retrieval.Use Wasfaty to track your prescriptions and fill them at any participating pharmacy.If your rights are violated, call the MOH 937 hotline or file a complaint through the hospital's patient relations department.
What should you NOT do — patient consent & medical records?
Do not sign consent forms in a language you do not understand — request an Arabic-to-your-language translation before signing.Do not assume silence is consent — the doctor must obtain your explicit agreement for any procedure.Do not hesitate to seek a second opinion — use Seha telemedicine if visiting another facility in person is inconvenient.