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Good Medical Practice (2006)

Relationships with patients

Consent – paragraph 36

36. You must be satisfied that you have consent or other valid authority before you undertake any examination or investigation, provide treatment or involve patients in teaching or research. Usually this will involve providing information to patients in a way they can understand, before asking for their consent. You must follow the guidance in Seeking patients' consent: The ethical considerations, which includes advice on children and patients who are not able to give consent.