Guidance on consent sent out in England
PHARMACISTS in England are being sent a 12-point guidance
document on how to obtain consent for treatment. The document is being
distributed with this week’s issue of The Pharmaceutical Journal.
It is also being sent to all other health professionals in England who
have direct patient contact.
The document has been drawn up by an advisory group
that included representatives of patients and carers, clinicians, academics
and National Health Service managers. The group was formed in response
to the NHS plan, which promised a review of NHS consent procedures [Para
10.22]. The guidance covers when consent is needed and how consent can
be obtained for young children and adults who are not competent. The guidance
notes that obtaining consent should be a process, not a one-off event.
Patients can change their minds and competent adults are entitled to refuse
treatment.
The guidance supplements a more detailed reference
guide to obtaining consent for examination or treatment which can be obtained
from the NHS response line on 0541 555 455.
The advisory group is also producing guidance for
particular patient groups, leaflets for patients and a model consent form
for use in the NHS.
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