Consent

The first module aims to help learners understand the key principles of valid consent; when consent must be sought; and how health and social care staff can include children and young people in the decision-making process using Gillick competence as a guide.

The second module explores what is meant by a person who ‘lacks capacity’, and how this can change. It looks at how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 supports healthcare staff to decide who has capacity, and the various ways we can gain consent on behalf of these patient groups.

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Define ‘consent’ and be able to explain the criteria required for consent to be valid and why.
• List who can seek consent from a person.
• Explain why and when it is necessary to get valid consent from a person.
• Describe the different ways individuals can give consent, and why the patient has a right to refuse.
• Describe the implications of providing insufficient information about a proposed action, treatment or care plan.
• Explain the term 'Gillick competence'

• Define a ‘person with capacity’ and a ‘person who lacks capacity’.
• Describe how a person’s capacity to make decisions can vary at different times of their life.
• Identify the role of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its core principles.
• Discuss that it is sometimes necessary to act in a person’s best interests when the person lacks capacity to consent to treatment and care, and how we can involve them in the process.
• Briefly describe the role of a lasting power of attorney (LPA).
• Describe how advance decisions to refuse treatment are used to convey an individual’s wishes.

This course consists of the following module:

• Seeking Consent with Those Who Have Capacity
• Seeking Consent with Those Who May Not Have Capacity
• Assessment