Consent.

• • To be valid, consent should be freely and voluntarily given. There should be no pressure or undue influence exerted on the patient by relatives, partners or health care professionals. If the carer believes this is a risk, they should arrange to see the patient on their own to establish that the decision is truly that of the patient.​
  • The patient must have the capacity to understand and retain information, and weigh up the risks and benefits involved.​
• • Informed consent is given once the patient has received enough information to make an informed decision about their treatment.​
  • The patient should have all of the information available about the treatment and care that they will receive. This includes the possible effects or risks, and other treatment options. The patient must understand this explanation in broad terms. ... This duty to inform is as important as the duty to carry out diagnosis and treatment.​
  • The patient must be legally competent to give consent.​
• Refusal of consent

  • Competent adults can refuse to consent to treatment for any reason or for no reason at all. The guidance varies depending on the circumstances. Any refusal should be clearly documented. Please see the section above.​