ABSTRACT
Under English law, no one is able to give consent to the examination or treatment of an adult unable to give consent for him or herself. Therefore, parents, relatives or members of the healthcare team cannot consent on behalf of such an adult. Remember the basic principle is that a patient has a right to accept or refuse treatment whether it is rational, irrational or for no reason at all even if it results in their own death. Ensuring the patient has received all of the information, has understood it and the consequences of refusing it. If the patient refuses treatment this must be respected. The health professionals believe it is in the patient's best interest to receive blood. The health professionals have difficulty standing back and watching him die. There is a temptation for the health professionals to ask the parents to consent to treatment on the young man's behalf.
