ABSTRACT
The health professional carrying out the treatment, investigation or care is responsible for ensuring that the patient has given valid consent before treatment begins. Health professionals are responsible for knowing the limits of their own competence and should seek the advice of appropriate colleagues when necessary. When managing patient care, a health professional assesses the patient and decides on the treatment and care. When seeking consent the treating doctor is responsible for obtaining patient consent. It can be delegated to another health professional, as long as that professional is suitably trained and qualified, has sufficient knowledge of the proposed investigation or treatment and understands the risks involved in order to be able to provide any information the patient may require. If consent is obtained well in advance the health professional should check, before the procedure starts that the patient still consents.
