Consent for treatment

No surgery, procedure or anaesthesia is done without your informed consent, except to save life in an emergency when you cannot consent and no relative is available.

What informed consent means

Before you agree to a treatment, your doctor explains, in a language you understand:

• what is wrong and what the treatment involves;
• the benefits you can expect, and what the treatment cannot do;
• the common risks and the serious ones, even if rare;
• the other options, including not having the treatment, and what may happen then;
• the expected recovery and costs.

You can ask as many questions as you need, take time to decide, talk to your family, or seek a second opinion.

When we ask for written consent

We ask you to sign a consent form before surgery, anaesthesia, a blood transfusion, procedures such as endoscopy, and other high-risk treatments or tests. The form records what was explained to you. Anaesthesia has its own consent, after the anaesthetist has examined you. Read it before you sign, and ask for anything you don't understand to be explained again.

Who gives consent

• An adult patient who can understand the decision gives their own consent.
• For a patient under 18, a parent or lawful guardian gives consent.
• If a patient cannot understand or communicate the decision, the closest relative or legal representative gives consent on their behalf.

You can change your mind

You can withdraw consent at any time before the treatment starts. Your doctor will explain what that means for your health, and your care will continue with the options you choose.

Photographs and teaching

We never take photographs or videos of you for teaching, research or publication, or use your case in publications, without your separate written consent.