Consent Process Checklist

This list is based on UK regulatory guidelines and best practice (General Medical Council) and is aimed at most common situations. Its aim is to help parents and medical staff ensure that parental consent to any intervention has lawfully been obtained and to encourage best practice.
Children should be included in the process as appropriate to their level of maturity.



Has valid consent been obtained from the patient?

• Has required information been given in ways the parent/child can understand?
  This should include diagnosis & prognosis, any uncertainties, treatment options incl. option not to treat, purpose of each treatment, incl. any risks and likelihood of success, side-effects & complications, in particular serious adverse outcomes.
• Has the information been given in a balanced way, disclosing any conflicts of interest?
• Has the parent / child been encouraged to ask questions?
• Have staff checked if the information is understood and whether more information is wanted?
• Has the parent or child been told they can change their mind at any time?
• Have they been given time to decide?
• No pressure has been put on parents and their decision has been respected?
• Are the medical staff involved suitably trained, have sufficient knowledge of the proposed investigation or treatment, incl. risks involved, and understand the GMC guidelines?
• If consent is given by a competent minor, has all relevant information been provided and discussed before they were assessed as competent to understand such information?