Cardiothoracic surgery
This leaflet is for patients under the care of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Team considering heart surgery.
About the consent form
Before a doctor or other health professional examines or treats you, they need your consent. Sometimes you can simply tell them whether you agree with their suggestions. However, sometimes a written record of your decision is helpful – for example, if your treatment involves sedation or general anaesthesia. You will then be asked to sign a consent form.
What should I know before deciding?
Health professionals must ensure you know enough information on the treatment options available, to enable you to decide which treatment is right for you. They will write information on the consent form and offer you a copy to keep, as well as discussing the choices of treatment with you. Although they may recommend a particular option, you are free to choose differently.
People’s attitudes vary on things like the amount of risk or pain they are prepared to accept. This also applies to the amount of information you wish to be given. If you would rather not know about certain aspects, discuss your worries and concerns with whoever is treating you.
Should I ask questions?
Always ask anything you want. As a reminder, you can write your questions in the space at the end of this leaflet.
The person you ask should do his or her best to answer, but if they do not know, they should find someone else who is able to discuss your concerns. To support you and prompt questions, you might like to bring a friend or relative. Please ask a member of the team looking after you if you would like someone independent to speak up for you.
Is there anything I should tell people?
If there is any procedure you do not want to happen, you should tell the people treating you. It is also important for them to know about any illnesses or allergies which you may have or have suffered from in the past.
Can I find out more about giving consent?
NHS.UK has further information on consent and contains information for adults, children, parents, carers or relatives and people with learning disabilities. This is available online by following the below link or QR Code:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/
Who is treating me?
Amongst the health professionals treating you may meet a “doctor in training” – medically qualified, but now doing more specialist training. They will only carry out procedures for which they have been appropriately trained. Someone senior will always supervise – either in person, accompanying a less experienced doctor in training, or available to advise someone more experienced.
What about anaesthesia?
If your treatment involves general or regional anaesthesia (where more than a small part of your body is being anaesthetised), you will be given general information about it in advance.
You will also have an opportunity to talk with the anaesthetist when he or she assesses your state of health shortly before treatment. Hospitals sometimes have pre-assessment clinics which provide patients with the chance to discuss things a few weeks prior to your treatment.
Will samples be taken?
Some operations involve removing a part of the body, such as a gall bladder or a tooth. You would always be told about this in advance. Other operations may mean taking samples as part of your care. These samples may be of blood or small sections of tissue, for example, of an unexplained lump.
Such samples may be further checked by other health professionals to ensure the best possible standards. Again, you should be told in advance if samples are likely to be taken. Sometimes, samples taken during operations may also be used for teaching, research or public health monitoring, in the future interests of all NHS patients. The NHS trust treating you will have a local system for checking whether you are willing for this to happen.
Photographs and videos
As part of your treatment some types of photographic records may be made, for example X-rays, clinical photographs or sometimes a video. You will always be told if this is going to happen. The photograph, or recording, will be kept with your notes and will be held in confidence as part of your medical record. This means that it will normally only be seen by those involved in providing your care, or those who need to check the quality of care you have received.
The use of photographs and recordings is also extremely important for other NHS work, such as teaching or medical research. However, we will not use your records in a way that might allow you to be identified or recognised without your express permission.
What if things do not go as expected?
Amongst the 25,000 operations taking place every day, sometimes things do not go as they should. Although the doctor involved should inform you and your family, often the patient is the first to notice something amiss.
If you are worried, for example about the after-effects of an operation continuing much longer than you were told to expect, tell a health professional right away. Speak to your GP or contact your clinic. The telephone number should be on your appointment card, letter or consent form copy.
What are the key things to remember?
It is your decision! It is up to you to choose whether or not to consent to what is being proposed. Ask as many questions as you would like and remember to tell the team about anything that concerns you or about any medication, allergies or past history which might affect your general health.
Questions to ask health professionals
As well as giving you information, health professionals must listen and do their best to answer your questions. Before your next appointment, you can write down any questions or concerns in the space below.
Questions may be about the treatment itself, for example:
- What are the main treatment options?
- What are the risks, if any, of each option?
- What are the benefits of each of the options?
- What are the success rates for different options – nationally, for this unit or for you (the surgeon)?
- Why do you think an operation (if suggested) is necessary?
- What are the risks if I decide to do nothing for the time being?
- How can I expect to feel after the procedure?
- When am I likely to be able to get back to work?
Questions may also be about how the treatment might affect your future state of health or style of life, for example:
- Will I need long-term care?
- Will my mobility be affected?
- Will I still be able to drive?
- Will it affect the kind of work I do?
- Will it affect my personal or sexual relationships?
- Will I be able to take part in my favourite sport or exercises?
- Will I be able to follow my usual diet?
Health care professionals should welcome your views and discuss any issues so they can work in partnership with you for the best outcome.
Notes
Contact us
If you require further information please contact:
Telephone: 01642 282899
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing: [email protected]