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Date:

07 November 2006

Category:

Module 5: Consent to Treatment

Question:

I have been requested to check if the ECT Consent form can be adapted for use at local level. Where a patient can have a max. of 12 ECT treatments - can this form be changed to include space for up to 12 patient signatures, effectively using one form 12 times? In reality this means duplicating Section 11(a)Patient Signature by 12 on the form. No info will be removed from the form. OR - does a separate ECT consent form have to completed for every single ECT treatment - I felt this was the case... Can you let me know which is the correct procedure.Are all MHC forms unable to be adapted for local use? Thanks

Answer:

The ECT consent form in the Rules Governing the use of Electro-Convulsive Therapy may be adapted for use at local level, please refer to section 2.9 in the rules (The consent from for ECT must include, as a minimum, all the particulars included in the accompanying ECT Consent form associated with the rules.)

Consent has to be obtained prior to each ECT session, this has to be documented and recorded in the patients file. A separate form can be developed locally for obtaining consent prior to each ECT session, please refer to section 2.10 (Consent must be obtained in writing for each ECT treatment session, including anaesthesia, by a registered medical practitioner under the supervision of a consultant psychiatrist responsible for the care of the patient prior to each ECT treatment session and recorded in the patients clinical file).

Mental Health Commission forms are unable to be adapted for local use with the exception of the one for ECT.