ABSTRACT
Introduction In this chapter, the impact of policy and medical thinking on consent practice will be considered. This is likely to form the basis on which the courts will assess contemporary practice. Governmental bodies and professional organisations concerned with healthcare are keen to pro mote evidence-based practice and so to establish uniform standards to be met by clinicians. Bolam v Friem Flospital Management Committee stated that: 'it is well-established law that it is sufficient if he exercises the ordinary skill of an ordinary competent man exercising that particular art'.1
