Clinic Consent

Mediwell Clinic understands the need to only provide treatment with consent from the Patient.

Mediwell Clinic ensures that when a Patient is asked for their consent, information about the proposed treatment will be provided in a way that they can understand. The information will include details about the risks, complications and any alternatives. Only staff with the necessary knowledge and understanding of the treatment will provide this information so that they can answer any questions about it to help the Patient give valid consent.

Where a Patient lacks mental capacity to make an informed decision, or give consent, staff will act in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated code of practice.
Mediwell Clinic will respect when Patients, or a person acting lawfully on their behalf, refuses to give consent or withdraws it.

All clinical and non-clinical staff members will be trained in the meaning of consent (this includes implied consent and expressed consent) and who is permitted to give consent for a Patient.

Mediwell Clinic will ensure that it treats consent as a process that continues throughout the duration of care and treatment, recognizing that it may be withheld and/or withdrawn at any time. Staff at Mediwell Clinic will be trained to understand that capacity can fluctuate and this needs to be considered in the context of giving or refusing consent.

Discussions about consent will be held in a way that meets the Patient’s communication needs. This may include the use of different formats or languages and may involve others such as a translator or independent advocate.

Mediwell Clinic will ensure that consent procedures do not pressure Patients into giving consent and, where possible, plans will be made well in advance to allow time to respond to Patient questions and provide adequate information.

Mediwell Clinic will uphold the Patient’s right to be involved in all decisions about their care and treatment.

Mediwell Clinic will work with other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure that best interest decisions are made and recorded for Patients who lack mental capacity to give valid consent.

Mediwell Clinic will ensure that policies and procedures for obtaining consent to care and treatment will reflect current legislation and guidance and that staff follow them at all times.

Each healthcare professional must be satisfied that consent or other valid authority exists before undertaking any examination, investigation, providing treatment or involving a Patient in teaching or research. Usually this will involve providing information to Patients using methods to ensure that they understand what intervention they are being required to give their consent for as well as why and how it could affect them. Obtaining informed consent must follow the guidance in “Decision Making and Consent” [GMC November 2020] which includes advice on children (to be read in conjunction with 0-18 Years Guidance for all Doctors GMC) and Patients who are not able to give consent.

Patients will:

• Be listened to and have their views about their healthcare respected
• Be informed what their diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and care involves
• Have information shared with them as they want or need in order to ensure they can make decisions
• Receive information in whatever way is necessary to enable them to maximise their opportunity and ability to make decisions and communicate them
• Have their decisions respected by staff in line with legislation

Mediwell Clinic recognises that consent is fundamental in ensuring person-centred care provision. Mediwell Clinic understands the need to allow Patients time to process information without feeling rushed or pressured, providing the opportunity for the individual or their legal representative to consider and formulate any questions that they have relating to their care provision.