Supported decision making

In 2015 the ruling of the UK Supreme Court in the Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board fundamentally changed the practice of consent. Doctors must no longer make assumptions about the information a patient might want or need. The onus is now on doctors to take all reasonable steps to ensure that patients are aware of all risks that are important to the patient. The Royal College of Surgeons has published clear guidance that outlines the principles for the consent process. Below are samples of the consent forms I use. These are usually provided for the patient a few weeks in advance of treatment along with the relevant British Association of Spinal Surgeons operative booklets, British spinal registry forms. In addition within GDPR and ICO guidance I provide an e-mail point of contact for patients to discuss any concerns or questions, both pre and post-operatively.