Patients' rights and access to health care

During the last fifteen years, an increasing number of European countries have adopted laws or other legal instruments respecting and protecting the rights of patients. This reflects the progressive recognition of the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all (potential) users of the health care system. At the same time, however, a growing number of persons seem to encounter difficulties in accessing health care. This raises the question to what extent patients' rights should also include entitlements to health care services.