Consent and Capacity
How consent is sought, and what happens where someone may lack the capacity to decide.
You have the right to decide what happens to your own body. That right does not disappear because you are unwell, injured or intoxicated.
Your right to make decisions
Adults are assumed to have capacity unless there is evidence to the contrary.
Verbal consent
Most treatment is agreed verbally after an explanation of what is proposed.
Implied consent
Offering an arm for a blood pressure check can indicate agreement to that specific act.
Refusing or withdrawing consent
You may decline any part of an assessment or treatment, or stop at any point.
Mental capacity
Capacity is assessed for the specific decision, at the time it needs to be made.
Best-interests decisions
Where capacity is absent, decisions follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Emergency treatment
Emergency action is limited to what is necessary to preserve life or prevent serious harm.
Children and young people
Consent depends on age, understanding and the involvement of those with parental responsibility.
Representatives and advocates
Attorneys, deputies and advocates are involved where they hold relevant authority.
Recording decisions
Consent, refusal and capacity considerations are recorded in the clinical record.
Patients should be involved in decisions wherever possible. Capacity must be considered in relation to the specific decision at the relevant time. Emergency action should be limited to what is necessary to preserve life or prevent serious harm.
Consent Policy and ProcedurePDF · Available on requestDownload