Further Information

The provision of information is central to the consent process. Before you come to a decision about your treatment, you need information about your condition and about possible treatments/investigations and their risks and benefits (including the risks/benefits of doing nothing). You also need to know whether additional procedures are likely to be necessary as part of the procedure, for example a blood transfusion, or the removal of particular tissue.

Once a decision to have a particular treatment/investigation has been made, you need information about what will happen: where to go, how long you will be in hospital, how you will feel afterwards and so on.

Patients and those close to them will vary in how much information they want, from those of you who want as much detail as possible, including details of rare risks, to those who ask health professionals to make decisions for them.

There will always be an element of clinical judgement in determining what information should be given. However, the presumption is that you wish to be informed about the risks and benefits of the various options. Where you make clear (verbally or non-verbally) that you do not wish to be given this level of information, this will be documented in your health record.

 

Where to get further information about your treatment

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service can assist you in obtaining further information about your treatment or operation.

Patient Advice and Liaison Services

Direct Dial 01244 366066