Table 3.

The role of RFT (patient-centred consent)

Consent using RFT becomes:

• An encompassing mechanism that facilitates, promotes and establishes patient-centred care

• A general approach to – and replacement for – consent, focussing on a mutual process of interaction and doctor–patient communication

• A method of documenting consent that is more robust than traditional consent, and forms the basis of a new in-patient system

• A mechanism to ensure high-quality information provision to patients

• A mechanism to involve patients more in their own healthcare decisions

• A ‘soft’ method of assessing capacity

• A method of consent for children (parental consent)

• A potential method of assessment and documentation of Gillick competence for those under 16 years of age

• A method of protecting doctors and patients against negligent consenting practice.