POSTAL CONSENT

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POSTAL CONSENT

• SR. CHRISSY DOUGLAS
• JAYNE McCALL,
• OFFICE MANAGER
• GASTRO UNIT
• CONWY AND DENBIGHSHIRE TRUST

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INTRODUCTION

• The new Gastro Unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd opened
  in 1995
• Postal Consent was introduced at this time by
• Dr Roger Sheers, Consultant
  Gastroenterologist,

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Why Postal Consent?

• Postal consent allows the patient time to read
  the information and to become familiar with the
  contents of their consent form before they arrive
  at the unit
• On admission a member of the healthcare team must
  check with the patient at this point whether they
  have any further concerns or their condition has
  changed
• DOH 2001

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BSG Clinical Practice Guidelines 2006

• Dr. Hugh Shepherd et al
• Reduces the need of taking consent solely by the
  endoscopist
• It is less time consuming
• Discourages the signing of consent forms in the
  procedure room
• Is positively received by well informed patients
  who have time to reflect on the information

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OUR PROCESS

• Patient focussed booking
• Consent and information sent with the initial
  letter on the day the referral is received in the
  unit
• On arrival at the unit a discussion takes place
  between the patient and a knowledgeable and
  experienced healthcare member prior to the
  procedure.

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How do we know it works?

• Patient satisfaction survey, August 2007
• 94 felt enough information had been sent and
  that it was easy to understand
• The majority of patients (94) have signed their
  consent form before arrival at the unit and have
  no further questions

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CONCLUSION

• Our consent and information process is currently
  under review and we aim to improve the
  information we give to our patients, in line with
  B.S.G. guidelines.
• We are fortunate that Dr. Sheers initiated this
  process so many years ago and has provided us
  with a firm foundation to build on

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The End

• Any questions?