Before you have any treatment, test, or immunization at our practice, a clinician (such as a doctor or nurse) must get your agreement first. This is called giving your consent.

To give your informed consent, the clinician will explain everything to you clearly. This includes:

• The nature and purpose of the treatment or test
• The potential risks or common side effects
• Other options available to you (including the choice not to have the treatment)
• What might happen if the condition is left untreated

To help you understand, we can use drawings, videos, or book an interpreter if you need one. You always have the right to ask questions, delay your decision, change your mind, or ask for a second opinion.

Types of consent

Depending on what you are having done, consent can be given in different ways:

• Implied consent: For simple, routine checks—like rolling up your sleeve to have your blood pressure taken—we will assume you consent if you agree to the check and follow the clinician's instructions. The clinician will still explain what they are doing and why.
• Verbal consent: For procedures with small risks, we will ask you out loud if you agree, and we will note your answer in your medical records.
• Written consent: For more complex procedures that carry a higher risk, we will ask you to sign a Consent Form. This acts as a record of our discussion. If you agree to the treatment but are physically unable to sign the form, an independent witness can sign it to confirm you gave verbal agreement.

Consent for children and young people

Young people aged 16 and 17

By law, anyone aged 16 or over is presumed able to give consent for their own medical treatment.

Children under 16

Children under 16 can give their own consent if a clinician decides they have enough understanding and intelligence to fully look after their own choices. This is known as Gillick Competence.

If a child under 16 does not meet this requirement, a parent or legal guardian with parental responsibility must give consent on their behalf.

Immunizations and vaccinations

Before we give any vaccine, we must get informed consent.

• If a child attends a vaccination appointment without a parent or legal guardian, we cannot give the injection unless we have already received clear written or verbal consent from the person with parental responsibility.

Our commitment to you: We will always make sure you can make your decisions freely. Our staff are trained to ensure you are not being pressured by anyone else when making choices about your health.