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The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission notes that medical and dental treatment requires valid consent from the patient. Informed consent means a patient will be given clear information about what is involved in any proposed treatment and their treatment options. Health care providers need to obtain valid consent from a patient before examining or treating them.

For consent to be valid the provider needs to ensure that the patient has:

-> the capacity to provide consent.

-> a good understanding of any side-effects, risks, benefits and alternatives regarding the proposed treatment.

-> been informed about the fees involved

-> given consent voluntarily, without being pressured.

Health care providers are responsible for providing information, encouraging patients to ask questions and clarifying that the information has been clearly understood.  Patients are responsible for weighing up the available information and making an informed decision.  Visit the HCCC website for more information.