Informed consent: how much information should we give patients?

Abstract

Gaining valid consent from patients is an area of law that has developed over time. It is acknowledged that for adult patients, provided they have capacity and consent is given without duress, then they can give or refuse permission to treatment. However, the third aspect of valid consent, i.e. that of how much information should be provided to patients prior to them consenting, is an area that has been subject to much debate in recent years. In this article, Angela Smith looks at how the law has changed in recent years, and the impact the case of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] UKSC 11 has had for health-care professionals.