New guidance on consent welcomed

Published: 27 Oct 2016

Categories: Latest

AvMA welcomes new guidance on obtaining informed consent issued today by the Royal College of Surgeons. The guidance re-states existing good practice pointing out that it is now mandatory following the landmark legal case of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board. AvMA chief executive Peter Walsh said:

“This clear guidance is very welcome and is a reminder that doctors need to be given the time and resources to enable them to share decision making meaningfully with patients. Each patient needs to be treated as an individual and be enabled to make fully informed decisions about their treatment, which can have life changing implications for them.”