A consultation document on a charter of patients’ rights launched today proposes that patients who exceed a certain waiting time for medical care in public hospitals be given treatment privately for free.

Launching the document today, the health parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne said the charter would set out maximum time frames for treatment, with the government footing the bill if these time frames were exceeded and the patient sought care in a private hospital.

Mr Fearne said the charter would help patients seek remedies if their rights were violated.

Patients would be given a bigger say in the treatment they were given and would have the right to seek a second opinion.

Patients would also have the right to access their personal files and data.

Apart from setting out patients’ rights, the charter outlines a number of responsibilities, such as seeking support and information on how to live a healthier lifestyle.

Another responsibility the charter places on patients is to “understand that there are pressures and limitations of resources on the health service and those working within it”.

The document will be open for a two-month consultation period.