Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to page 219 of the Paterson Inquiry report, published on 4 February 2020, what steps they are taking to ensure that all patients are given a structured period to reflect on their diagnosis and treatment options before consenting to surgical procedures; and what monitoring the General Medical Council is undertaking of compliance with that recommendation.

All doctors are expected to meet the standards set out in the General Medical Council’s (GMC’s) Good Medical Practice, which states that doctors must ensure patients are given the time and support they need to make informed decisions. Doctors must also follow the GMC’s guidance Decision making and consent, which came into effect in November 2020. The guidance sets out seven principles of decision making and consent, including giving patients the information they need to make a decision and the time and support they need to understand it.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) considers GMC guidance and standards when conducting assessments. The CQC can act if a provider is failing to ensure that consent is being obtained lawfully.

NHS England has integrated decision support tools into elective pathways of care. These tools support two stage shared decision making, which introduces a period of reflection for patients when deciding on treatment options and giving consent. This allows patients to take the time to fully understand the benefits and risks of treatment, talk with friends and family, and decide whether it is the most suitable option for them.