Consent to Treatment Policy

1. INTRODUCTION

Curigo is committed to ensuring that patients are fully informed and actively involved in decisions about their healthcare. We believe that valid consent is fundamental to safe, ethical and patient-centred care.

This Consent to Treatment Policy explains how Curigo obtains and manages consent for remote consultations, clinical assessments, prescribing and the supply of medicines.

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to:

• ensure patients understand the healthcare services they receive;
• support informed decision-making;
• explain how consent is obtained for remote healthcare;
• promote shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals; and
• comply with applicable legal, professional and regulatory requirements.

3. OUR APPROACH TO CONSENT

We are committed to ensuring that consent is:

• voluntary;
• informed;
• specific to the treatment or service being provided; and
• given by a patient who has the capacity to make the relevant decision.

Patients are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification before proceeding with treatment.

4. INFORMED DECISION-MAKING

Before treatment is provided, patients will be given appropriate information about:

• the purpose of the consultation or treatment;
• the expected benefits;
• potential risks and side effects;
• suitable alternatives where appropriate;
• any important safety information; and
• circumstances where treatment may not be appropriate.

The information provided will be appropriate to the type of service being delivered.

5. REMOTE CONSULTATIONS

As Curigo provides healthcare remotely, patients acknowledge that:

• clinical decisions are based on the information they provide;
• remote consultations have limitations compared with face-to-face assessments;
• further information or evidence may be requested where necessary; and
• treatment may be declined if it is not clinically appropriate or safe to proceed remotely.

6. PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Patients are responsible for:

• providing accurate, honest and complete information;
• informing us of relevant medical conditions, medicines and allergies;
• notifying us of any significant changes to their health during the consultation process; and
• following the advice and instructions provided by the healthcare professional.

Providing inaccurate or incomplete information may affect clinical decisions and the suitability of treatment.

7. CAPACITY TO CONSENT

Healthcare professionals will seek to ensure that patients have the capacity to make decisions about their care.

Where there are concerns regarding a person's ability to provide informed consent, treatment may be delayed, declined or alternative arrangements may be recommended in accordance with applicable legal and professional requirements.

8. WITHDRAWING CONSENT

Patients may withdraw their consent at any time before treatment is provided.

Where treatment has already been prescribed, supplied or commenced, it may not always be possible to reverse or cancel the treatment, but patients should contact Curigo as soon as possible to discuss their concerns.

Withdrawal of consent may affect our ability to continue providing certain services.

9. REFUSAL OF TREATMENT

Patients have the right to decline treatment or choose not to proceed with a consultation.

Similarly, Curigo reserves the right to decline to provide treatment where it is not clinically appropriate, where patient safety cannot be assured, or where legal, regulatory or professional requirements prevent treatment from being supplied.

10. RECORDING CONSENT

Where appropriate, Curigo will record that valid consent has been obtained as part of the patient's clinical record.

Records may include details of the consultation, information provided to the patient and the treatment or service agreed.

11. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

This Consent to Treatment Policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation, professional guidance or clinical practice.

The latest version will always be available on our website.

12. CONTACTING CURIGO

If you have any questions about this Policy or the consent process, please contact Curigo using the contact details provided on our website.

13. ENTIRE POLICY

This Consent to Treatment Policy should be read alongside our:

• Clinical Services Terms & Conditions;
• Clinical Governance Statement;
• Privacy Policy;
• Information Governance Statement;
• Website Terms & Conditions; and
• other policies published on our website.

Together, these documents explain how Curigo delivers safe, ethical and patient-centred healthcare while supporting informed patient choice and shared decision-making.