Preface; Acknowledgements; About the author; Common terminology and key concepts; Main legislation and legal cases
1 Consent – definitions and foundations
1.1 A first thought
1.2 What consent is not
1.3 Definition of consent
1.4 Consent: a process
1.5 The underpinning of consent
1.6 In summary: what consent is
2 The importance of consent
2.1 An initial answer
2.2 Self-determination
2.3 The ethical basis for consent
2.4 The legal basis for consent
2.5 The professional basis for consent
2.6 In summary: two main reasons
3 The three principles of consent
3.1 The consent principles
3.2 Competence
3.3 Adequate information
3.4 Voluntariness
 3.4.1 Involuntary treatment
3.5 In summary: legally valid consent
4 Those who can give consent
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The patient
 4.2.1 Adult patients
 4.2.2 Patients aged 16 and 17
 4.2.3 Patients under 16
4.3 Parents and parental responsibility
4.4 Relatives and next of kin
4.5 Patient representatives
4.6 Competence assessment
4.7 Assessors of competence
4.8 In summary: giving consent
5 Obtaining consent
5.1 Seeking consent
5.2 Written consent
5.3 Oral consent
5.4 Inferred/implied consent
5.5 Consent vs. assent
5.6 Recording consent
5.7 In summary: how to obtain consent
6 Lack of patient consent
6.1 Inability to obtain consent
6.2 Competent patients
 6.2.1 Patient refusal
 6.2.2 Withdrawal of consent by a patient
6.3 Incompetent patients
 6.3.1 Lasting Power of Attorney
 6.3.2 Principle of necessity
 6.3.3 Best Interests
6.4 Child patients
6.5 In summary: when there is no consent
References; Useful resources