ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some common legal duties that general practitioners (GPs) should be aware of. It highlights commonly met issues within English general practice, including the 3Cs – capacity, consent and confidentiality. The GP should talk about the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), recommend infection screening immediately, and promote and offer condoms. This second area in the Laws and Regulations section discusses the types of consent commonly found in general practice. Most of the time, GP consent requires a patient with capacity to be given enough information to be able to make good judgements for themselves, with the support of their doctor. The GP also discusses the risks and benefits, and lets the patient know how to proceed, often with reasonable options, but suggesting their best practice recommendation for that patient at that time, and using language that the patient understands.
