ABSTRACT
Patients have a right to information the condition. The amount of information with which they are provided will vary according to the nature, severity and complexity of that condition. In the context of consent, the osteopath will need to explain what information was provided and demonstrate that it was adequate. Wherever possible the osteopath should explain personally to the patient about proposed treatment and obtain the consent himself. In order to make the decision the osteopath should: However difficult the process of consent may appear to be for adults, it is much more complicated in some circumstances involving children. With respect to consent, these children are covered by common law. Parents can consent for children who are incompetent when aged 16 or 17. A well known example of potential ‘serious’ harm is in the situation where a patient develops unilateral temporary blindness and where multiple sclerosis is the suspected diagnosis.
