Summary
The purpose of the advice is to provide a good practice framework for obtaining valid consent in obstetrics and gynaecology.
This revised document provides guidance on obtaining consent in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK. After discussing the overarching principles of consent, it considers specific issues relating to gynaecological and obstetric practice, such as the consent required for pelvic examinations and obtaining consent from women in labour. Further sections include consent for multimedia images and tissue samples. An appendix provides guidance on completing the English/Welsh/Northern Irish Consent Form 1.
Specific advice for some individual procedures has been published separately in the RCOG Consent Advice series.
COVID disclaimer
This Clinical Governance Advice was developed prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Version history
This is the third edition of this guidance.
Please note that the Patient Safety Committee regularly assesses the need to update. Further information on this review is available on request.
Developer declaration of interests
Available on request.