Informed consent

Suggestions for further reading may be your best bet if you need help looking into the issue of consent.

Consent can be an extremely complex area, and the law relating to this area is often case law, determined on a case-by-case basis.

In essence, physiotherapists have a duty to ensure that all the risks, benefits and outcomes of treatment are explained to a patient in such a way that the patient can make a valid decision for himself or herself.

Separate laws exist for individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves.

Further information

CSP Publications

• PA60 – Consent: this CSP publication provides general principles of good practice in gaining patient consent for physiotherapy in line with Department of Health recommendations.
• Guidelines for Good Practice – Student Consent: this CSP paper provides information for HEI physiotherapy programmes and physiotherapy students regarding student consent to participate in the development of professional skills both within the University and Practice Based Learning environments. A sample student consent form is included.
• Standard 2 – Core Standards of Physiotherapy Practice: this CSP document provides a framework within which all physiotherapists and associate members are required to practise. Standard 2 specifically relates to consent
• PA65 – Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000: this CSP paper will be of relevance to physiotherapists practising in Scotland and Focuses on the sections of the Act most relevant for physiotherapy. Also included are physiotherapy service scenarios.
• PA73 – Mental Capacity ( England ) Act 2005: this CSP paper will be of relevance to physiotherapists practising in England. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a statutory framework to protect and empower vulnerable people who are not always able to make their own decisions. It clarifies who can make these decisions, when they can make these decisions, and the process of how these decisions should be made

Other Relevant Publications

• Department of Health: Good Practice in Consent Implementation Guide – Consent to Examination or Treatment (2001)
  see the DH website: www.dh.gov.uk
• General Medical Council: Consent: Patients and doctors making decisions together (2008)
  see the GMC website: www.gmc-uk.org