Consent: the issue of rights and responsibilities for the health worker.

摘要

The next three articles discuss elements of an important part of health provision. Deciding who has control over health choices is controversial, and many health providers are confused as to the issues. The confusion would appear to arise in two main areas. First, definitions as to who can and cannot make decisions appear to some to be muddled. Second, specific new legislation that applies principles of consent to certain groups of healthcare users, would seem to be poorly understood at present. The three articles will be presented as follows: discussion on the legal definitions and principles of consent; discussion of issues surrounding the capacity of families to give or refuse consent to organ transplantation; discussion on the freedoms and responsibilities of people who are affected by the new incapacity bill.