Reflection period for consent

Source — verbatim from the inquiry

Published evidence summary

Response — verbatim from government

Evidence trail — what's actually happened since

• 1 Apr 2025 DHSC and NHS England implementation update provided to the Thirlwall Inquiry (April 2025). This is the government's own account of progress, submitted to the inquiry. Reviewed extent of implementation: Implemented – Ongoing. The following guidance has been updated to indicate that doctors should give patients sufficient time to consider options before making a decision about their treatment and care: • The GMC has revised guidance on decision making and consent that came into effect from 9 November 2020. The GMC sets/enforces the standards doctors must follow as part of "Good Medical Practice". A serious or persistent failure to follow guidance that poses a risk to patient safety will put the doctor's registration at risk. If a doctor's practice regarding consent needs improvement, the GMC would require them to undertake professional development. • In 2018, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) published guidance on consent and supported decision-making. As outlined in the RCS' "Good surgical practice" patients should sign a consent form at the end of the discussion if they have decided to go ahead with treatment. • The IHPN has updated the Medical Practitioners Assurance Framework ("MPAF") with standards for patient consent. Compliance with consent standards is enforced by the medical regulators. • Shared decision-making is a key element of NHS England's Personalised Care programme. NHS England is implementing a 2-stage shared decision making process. This is supported by decision support tools which are being integrated into pathways of care as a core component of the delivery plan for tackling the covid-19 backlog of elective care. Two stage decision-making introduces a period of reflection for patients when deciding on treatment options and giving consent. This allows patients to take the time to fully understand the benefits and risks of treatment, talk with friends and family and decide whether it is the most suitable option for them. Integrating these tools into this decision-making process will support providers in meeting these requirements. CQC considers GMC and RCS guidance and standards when conducting assessments. CQC can act if a provider is failing to ensure that consent is being obtained lawfully. Source →

Each entry above links to a primary source — gov.uk written statement, consultation response document, or inspection report. The Index does not characterise government intent; it tracks what has been published.