* Make a complaint when you're in the situation. Name the problem, state your feelings and discuss it with the person/s involved. e.g. 'I feel really uncomfortable with what you are saying / your behaviour', and state what you would like to see happen to rectify the problem.

* Approach the person or service yourself or through an advocate. An advocate is a support person - someone you know who is confident and can help you address the problem. It could be a friend, a community worker or social worker to discuss your complaint in the days following your interaction.

* Put your concerns in writing, making sure to keep a copy of all correspondence.

* In a hospital setting, contact the Nursing Unit Manager, Social Worker or Consumer Advocate/Patient Representative. You can find these details through the hospital main office.

Contact the Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB) - 1800 670 812 - if you feel you have been discriminated against. The ADB administers anti-discrimination laws in NSW, and it is illegal to discriminate in specific settings on the basis of age, race, gender, marital status, disability, being lesbian, homosexual and/or transgender. It is also illegal to discriminate on the basis of who you are related to, or who you associate with.

Contact the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) - 1800 043 159 - which is an independent body, set up to examine complaints about health care services.