Development of Patients' Rights Legislation
AbstractIn the period up to 1992, patients' rights in Greece were indirectly addressed through relevant provisions in Civil, Penal, Administrative and Disciplinary Law, as well as in the Code on the Practice of Medicine and the Regulation of Medical Deontology. In 1992, broader health care reform legislation contained provisions directly addressing the rights of hospital patients. In 1997, again as part of broader health care reform legislation, further provisions extended the rights of patients granted in 1992 to the entire population, and in addition provided for the implementation of the legislative provisions. The immediate implementation of the patients' rights provisions of the 1997 legislation represents a major step forward with respect to improving the quality of health care services provided.