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Listen
Deciding on your treatment and giving consent
Standard 8
You are fully involved in the assessment of your healthcare needs and are fully informed about any investigation and treatment before deciding whether or not to go ahead.
1 Any investigation or treatment will only be proposed after a full assessment of you and your healthcare needs.
2 Your healthcare professional gives you information about the range of treatments available that are relevant to your needs and preferences and what they involve. This includes an explanation of the advantages and disadvantages, telling you about the risks of any treatment, as well as what may happen if you choose not to proceed.
3 You are given the opportunity and are encouraged to ask questions or receive further advice from your healthcare professional or from another appropriate member of staff (or both). You can have someone you choose (for example, a member of your family or carer) to help you understand what is being said about your care and treatment and to ask questions on your behalf.
4 You have time to consider your choice of treatment or investigation.
5 Your consent to any planned investigation or treatment is sought and obtained only after you have had the opportunity to consider the information provided and have made your decision to proceed.
6 Your signed consent is obtained and given in line with current best practice guidance and legislation 12 and a copy is given to you if you wish.
7 Any living will or advance statement you may have made, including whether or not you wish to be resuscitated, is respected by the service in line with best practice guidance. 13
8 If you need emergency treatment and you are able to give consent, you will be asked to do so, having received an explanation.
9 If you need emergency treatment and you are unable to give consent (for example, collapsed or unconscious), treatment will be given in line with current legislation and best practice.
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