Client Rights

If you believe your rights have been violated please contact:

Grievance Officers for NorthCare:

Rebekah Shugart 405-858-2932

The final decision maker for all grievances is Sally Kerr, CEO.

You may also contact:

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Consumer Advocacy       1-866-699-6605                               405-248-9037

Office of Inspector General          1-866-699-6605                405-248-9037

Client Rights – Outpatient

Each consumer has the right to be treated with respect and dignity and will be provided the synopsis of the Bill of Rights as listed below.  A full copy of client rights is available upon request.

(1) Each consumer shall retain all rights, benefits, and privileges guaranteed by law except those lost through due process of law.

(2) Each consumer has the right to receive services suited to his or her condition in a safe, sanitary and humane treatment environment regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, degree of disability, handicapping condition or sexual Unofficial Copy: OAC Title 450:15 24 Effective 10/01/2017 orientation.

(3) No consumer shall be neglected or sexually, physically, verbally, or otherwise abused.

(4) Each consumer shall be provided with prompt, competent, and appropriate treatment; and an individualized treatment plan. A consumer shall participate in his or her treatment programs and may consent or refuse to consent to the proposed treatment. The right to consent or refuse to consent may be abridged for those consumers adjudged incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and in emergency situations as defined by law. Additionally, each consumer shall have the right to the following:

(A) Allow other individuals of the consumer’s choice participate in the consumer’s treatment and with the consumer’s consent;

(B) To be free from unnecessary, inappropriate, or excessive treatment;

(C) To participate in consumer’s own treatment planning;

(D) To receive treatment for co-occurring disorders if present;

(E) To not be subject to unnecessary, inappropriate, or unsafe termination from treatment; and

(F) To not be discharged for displaying symptoms of the consumer’s disorder.

(5) Every consumer’s record shall be treated in a confidential manner.

(6) No consumer shall be required to participate in any research project or medical experiment without his or her informed consent as defined by law. Refusal to participate shall not affect the services available to the consumer.

(7) A consumer shall have the right to assert grievances with respect to an alleged infringement on his or her rights.

(8) Each consumer has the right to request the opinion of an outside medical or psychiatric consultant at his or her own expense or a right to an internal consultation upon request at no expense.

(9) No consumer shall be retaliated against or subjected to any adverse change of conditions or treatment because the consumer asserted his or her rights.

Client Rights – Residential Treatment

Each consumer has the right to be treated with respect and dignity and will be provided the synopsis of the Bill of Rights as listed below. A full copy of client rights is available upon request.

(1) Each consumer shall retain all rights, benefits, and privileges guaranteed by law except those lost through due process of law.

(2) Each consumer has the right to receive services suited to his or her condition in a safe, sanitary and humane treatment environment regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, degree of disability, handicapping condition, or sexual orientation.

(3) Each consumer, on admission, shall have the absolute right to private uncensored communication with persons of his/her choice by phone or mail, at the facility’s expense if the consumer is indigent, and by personal visit.

(4) Each consumer retains the right of confidential communication with persons of his/her choice. A consumer’s right to contact the ODMHSAS Advocate’s Office, Inspector General’s Office, their attorney, personal physician, or clergy shall not be limited by the facility.

(5) Each consumer is entitled to uncensored private communication (letter, telephone, personal visits); such letters or copies of letters shall not be kept in consumer treatment records.

(6) No consumer shall be subject to maltreatment or otherwise abused by staff, visitors, or other consumers.

(7) Each consumer shall receive treatment in the least restrictive environment and have the maximum freedom of movement consistent with his or her clinical condition and legal status.

(8) Each consumer shall have easy access to his or her personal funds deposited with the finance office, and shall be entitled to an accounting.

(9) Each consumer may have his or her own clothing and other personal possessions.

(10) Each consumer shall have the right to practice his or her religious belief and be accorded the opportunity for religious worship. No consumer shall be coerced into engaging in or refraining from any religious activity, practice, or belief.

(11) Each consumer legally entitled to vote shall be assisted to register and vote when they so request.

(12) Each consumer shall be provided with prompt, competent, and appropriate treatment; and an individualized treatment plan. A consumer shall participate in his or her treatment programs and may consent or refuse to consent to the proposed treatment. The right to consent or refuse to consent may be abridged for those consumers adjudged incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and in emergency situations as defined by law. Additionally, each consumer shall have the right to the following:

(A) Allow the guardian of the consumer and/or another individual of the consumer’s choice to participate in the consumer’s treatment and with the consumer’s consent;

(B) To be free from unnecessary, inappropriate, or excessive treatment;

(C) To participate in consumer’s own treatment planning;

(D) To receive treatment for co-occurring disorders if present;

(E) To not be subject to unnecessary, inappropriate, or unsafe termination from treatment; and

(F) To not be discharged for displaying symptoms of the consumer’s disorder.

(13) Every consumer’s record shall be treated in a confidential manner.

(14) No consumer shall be required to participate in any research project or medical experiment without his or her informed consent as defined by law. Refusal to participate shall not affect the services available to the consumer.

(15) A consumer may voluntarily participate in work therapy and must be paid fair compensation. However, each consumer is responsible for personal housekeeping tasks without compensation.

(16) A consumer shall have the right to assert grievances with respect to an alleged infringement on his or her rights.

(17) Consumer shall be permitted to establish and participate in a consumer committee or consumer government by unit or facility wide.

(18) A consumer being discharged shall have plans for outpatient treatment, sufficient medication, suitable clothing for the season, housing information and referral, and if consumer permits, family involvement in the plan.

(19) Each consumer has the right to request the opinion of an outside medical or psychiatric consultant at his or her own expense or a right to an internal consultation upon request at no expense.

(20) No consumer shall be retaliated against or subjected to any adverse change of conditions or treatment because the consumer asserted his or her rights.

(21) Most rights may be limited by the treatment team for therapeutic reasons, including safety of the consumer or other consumers and staff in the facility. These limitations must be documented in the clinical record, reviewed frequently, and shall not be limited for purposes of punishment, staff convenience, or in retaliation for a consumer exercising any of his/her rights.