ABSTRACT
When health professionals give advice and information to patients as part of the consent process it is important that it is well documented. Records documenting consent should show that the health professional has discharged their duty of care. Some consent issues may be recorded on standard forms and others written in the health records. The purpose of documenting the risks is to ensure that the patient has been fully advised so that they may make a decision regarding their care. The health professional should record details of the leaflets given to the patient including the name of the content of the leaflets. It is important to record fully and accurately all matters relating to the consent process regarding children. In order to record consent issues surrounding children health professionals must a have a good grasp of those issues. Health professionals should exercise caution when using standard forms for consent.
