Consent to research

This guidance looks at how you can make sure that a patient's consent to participate in research is valid and informed. It also highlights when you will need written consent and when you might need to share what you are doing with others.

It includes more detailed advice  if your research participant is: 

• a child or young person 
• a vulnerable adult   
• an adult who does not have capacity.

There is also a section on what to do if you want to carry out research in an emergency situation or research involving human tissue. 

This guidance came into effect 4 May 2010