Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) has published a new guide called Principles for shared decision-making and patient consent for elective surgery which translates national requirements into practical guidance for surgeons and clinicians to help them implement existing standards efficiently.
The new GIRFT guide draws together the requirements of the General Medical Council’s guidance Decision-Making and Consent and the Royal College of Surgeons’ guidance Consent: Supported Decision-Making and sets out practical steps designed to be used with the GIRFT/NHS England standardised consent forms. The guide focuses on elective surgical procedures and emphasises that decision-making and consent processes are a legal safeguard and a clinical opportunity to build partnership, clarify expectations, and improve outcomes through clearer communication.
Weightmans, who act for NHS trusts and NHS Resolution in clinical negligence claims, contributed to the creation of standardised consent forms for the NHS. Maryam Storr, Legal Director in the Healthcare Team at Weightmans, was also a member of the panel of experts who helped create the new guide and advised GIRFT on the medico-legal issues that often arise in consent cases.
Weightmans is delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to the unified GIRFT guide on shared decision-making and consent, which will help teams implement existing standards efficiently by applying core principles to support patients in understanding treatment options, enabling them to make informed decisions about their care.
Please direct any enquiries regarding the new GIRFT guide to Alison Brennan, Legal Director and Safety and Learning Lead in the health and care team at Weightmans.
