Consent – it's up to you
When a doctor, nurse or therapist asks you to agree to any form of examination, treatment or care, remember you have a choice. You are always free to say no, or to ask for more information before you make up your mind. This means you have to give your consent.
What does consent really mean?
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. This could simply mean following their suggestions, such as your GP asking to have a look at your throat and you showing your consent by opening your mouth.
Sometimes they will ask you to sign a form, depending on the seriousness of what they’re proposing or whether it carries risks as well as benefits.
It does not matter so much how you show your consent: whether you sign or say you agree. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid.
That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not, for example, under the strong influence of another person.
What sort of information do I need?
In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you don’t understand or if you want more information. For example:
- What sort of things will the treatment involve?
- What are the benefits they hope will result?
- Are there any alternatives?
What are the risks, if any?
If the person asking for your consent to the treatment is not able to answer your questions, ask them to find out or arrange for someone else to talk to you about your concerns. If you would find it easier to ask questions with someone supporting you, take a friend with you, or ask about local advocacy services.
You can also ask for someone of the same sex as yourself to be with you while you are being examined or treated.
How much do I need to know?
Some people want to know as much as possible about their condition and possible treatments; others prefer to leave decisions to the experts.
No one providing health care will force information on you, for example, about the risks of treatment if you don’t want to know. But remember, the person in the best position to know what matters most to you is you yourself.
How much time can I take to decide?
Your doctor, nurse or therapist may certainly encourage you to accept a particular treatment if they believe it will be helpful for you, but it is your decision whether or not to go ahead. If you want more time to think about your decision, say so.
