Until the age of 18 years, consent is usually obtained from a parent or legal guardian, however clinicians should aim to involve children and young people in the discussions and decision making affecting their health and wellbeing. Read our Consent Policy.
We will ask you, or your guardian, for consent before starting any medical treatment. Depending on your age or maturity, we may decide that you can make these decisions for yourself. This means:
- we will talk with you about the options for your procedure, therapy or treatment
- we will give you the opportunity to ask questions and make sure you have enough information to make the right decision for you
- you decide whether or not to go ahead with the procedure, therapy or treatment
- we will ask for your consent each time you have a procedure, therapy or treatment
- we will record your decision. In most cases you are allowed to decide that you do not want treatment and you are allowed to change your mind at any time.
There are three types of consent you may be asked to give, including:
- Implied consent – you consent by cooperating with our instructions for routine procedures, for example, when you extend your arm for a blood sample.
- Verbal consent – your agreement is given verbally for a treatment or procedure that doesn’t carry a significant risk.
- Written consent – your agreement is given by signing a document for a treatment or procedure that is complex or carries a higher risk, such as an operation.