Obtaining Valid Consent

Obtaining valid consent is not only best practice but a legal requirement. Everyone has the right to receive or refuse medication. Administration of medication after refusal can be seen as a breech of human rights

For consent to be valid it must be:

• Voluntary
• Informed
• The person must have capacity around the decision

Consent from the client to take their medication should be obtained:

• Prior to taking it out of the packaging.
• Every time in relation to each medication.

Observe a client’s behaviours to notice if they are withholding consent by demonstrating actions such as spitting medication out, turning their head away or pushing you away etc.

Use to answer question 13.5i of the Care Certificate