A child {≥16 years} of age may freely give consent for medical treatment
Assessing capacity to consent
- Understanding: the patient must understand and retain (i.e. be able to relate back) information on the treatment proposed, its benefits, risks and consequences
- Belief: The patient must believe this information
- Can ask them: What do you think is wrong with your health? Do you believe you need treatment? What do you believe the treatment will do for you?
- Reasoning: The patient must be able to evaluate the information to reach a reasonable decision
- Can ask them: What things were important to you in reaching the decision?
- Choice