Introduction

Patients have a fundamental legal and ethical right to determine what happens to their own bodies and how information about them is used. Valid consent to treatment is therefore absolutely central in all forms of healthcare, from providing personal care to undertaking major surgery. Seeking consent is also a matter of common courtesy between healthcare professionals and patients.

The Department of Health has issued a number of guidance documents on consent, and these should be consulted for advice on the current law and good practice requirements in seeking consent. Healthcare professionals must also be aware of any guidance on consent issued by their own regulatory bodies.

Specific guidance, incorporating both the law and good practice advice, is available for healthcare professionals working with children, with people with learning disabilities and with older people.