What you'll get from this toolkit

• Guidance on when, how and by whom consent for treatment or research should be sought
• An understanding of how to ensure that the consent obtained is valid
• Information about how to respond when patients refuse consent
• Links to other guidance and resources from the BMA and other bodies including the General Medical Council and the health departments.

You may also be interested to see our core ethics guidance

How to use this toolkit

​​The purpose of this toolkit is not to provide definitive answers for every situation but to identify the key factors that need to be considered when decisions are made; to summarise the relevant legal considerations; and to signpost other key professional guidance. It is not a set of rules or instructions, or a substitute for careful reflection and discussion with colleagues.