Consent policy updates
This page outlines suggested updates to consent policy during implementation and transition to business as usual.
Organisations will usually introduce changes to the consent policy in two phases - firstly during phase 2 of the delivery playbook as the organisation prepares for first clinical use of Concentric (see digital consent as a possible mechanism), and secondly at transition to business as usual where digital consent is the default mechanism of consent for treatment (see digital consent as the default mechanism).
Digital consent as a possible mechanism
Introduction
Concentric is a digital consent to treatment application which is currently being introduced within the organisation. During the implementation there will be parts of the organisation using the traditional paper-based consent process and others using the Concentric digital consent process. To minimise disruption and confusion the organisation will introduce the digital consent process by clinical area, meaning that there should be clarity regarding whether a paper or digital process is being used for that area/theatre.
Concentric is used across all consent to treatment scenarios - adult with capacity, parent/guardian consent on behalf of a child/young person, decision in best interest for an adult who lacks capacity.
Onboarding
Clinicians are provided with training resources prior to live clinical use. These include a user guide, demonstration videos and access to test patient details to use when getting comfortable with the system prior to live clinical use.
Clinician user responsibilities
It is the clinician user’s responsibility to follow either the paper or digital consent process as has been communicated to them by the organisation. Due to the clinical risks introduced by using a mixture of paper and digital consent processes within a clinical area no variation from the agreed mechanism is expected. Should there be reasons to deviate from the agreed process the business continuity plan should be followed.
When using Concentric, clinicians must adhere to the the professional responsibilities and standards set out by the General Medical Council in their guidance, Decision Making and Consent (November 2020).
With the context that remote consent is possible via Concentric, clinicians must ensure that a consent conversation with the relevant individual has taken place before enabling remote consent. Clinician users are required to confirm their understanding of this - within the application - prior to their first access in to Concentric.
As part of conformance with the GMC guidance, it is the clinician user’s responsibility to ensure that the information being shared with the patient is appropriate for the individual patient. This includes any required changes to a Concentric treatment template. Users are required to confirm their understanding of this - within the application - prior to their first access in to Concentric.
If contact details need to be added manually, care should be taken to ensure that these are added correctly.
Theatre process
Where a digital consent process is being used the completed consent information should be viewed digitally at all required points. This can be viewed within Concentric or within the main Electronic Health Record (EHR).
Business continuity plan
A business continuity plan (BCP) is maintained by the organisation, outlining the agreed process in a number of different possible scenarios where a digital consent process was expected. Template BCP available here.
Digital consent as the default mechanism
Introduction
Concentric is the digital consent to treatment application used within the organisation and is the default mechanism of recording consent to treatment. Concentric is used across all consent to treatment scenarios - adult with capacity, parent/guardian consent on behalf of a child/young person, decision in best interest for an adult who lacks capacity.
Onboarding
Clinicians are provided with training resources prior to live clinical use. These include a user guide, demonstration videos and access to test patient details to use when getting comfortable with the system prior to live clinical use.
Clinician user responsibilities
It is the clinician user’s responsibility to follow the digital consent process as has been communicated to them by the organisation. Should there be reasons to deviate from the agreed process the business continuity plan should be followed.
When using Concentric, clinicians must adhere to the the professional responsibilities and standards set out by the General Medical Council in their guidance, Decision Making and Consent (November 2020).
With the context that remote consent is possible via Concentric, clinicians must ensure that a consent conversation with the relevant individual has taken place before enabling remote consent. Clinician users are required to confirm their understanding of this - within the application - prior to their first access in to Concentric.
As part of conformance with the GMC guidance, it is the clinician user’s responsibility to ensure that the information being shared with the patient is appropriate for the individual patient. This includes any required changes to a Concentric treatment template. Users are required to confirm their understanding of this - within the application - prior to their first access in to Concentric.
If contact details need to be added manually, care should be taken to ensure that these are added correctly.
Theatre process
The completed consent information should be viewed digitally at all required points. This can be viewed within Concentric or within the main Electronic Health Record (EHR).
Business continuity plan
A business continuity plan (BCP) is maintained by the organisation, outlining the agreed process in a number of different possible scenarios where a digital consent process was expected. Template BCP available here.