Obtaining Written Consent

Patients have a fundamental legal and ethical right to determine what happens to their bodies. Consent must be taken before performing any examination, procedure or treatment on a patient who has capacity. If consent is not taken, the examination or procedure can be viewed as battery and is liable to prosecution. Taking consent negates the charge of battery. Consent can be implied, verbal or written. For most examinations and minor procedures on the ward, implied and verbal consent is sufficient.

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