Not everyone is equally capable of understanding the same explanation of a treatment plan. The explanation should be appropriate to the level of his or her assessed ability. It is the duty of everyone proposing to give treatment to use reasonable care and skill, not only in giving information prior to seeking a patient's consent but also in meeting the continuing obligation to provide the patient with adequate information about the proposed treatment and alternatives to it. The information which must be given should be related to the particular patient, the particular treatment and the relevant medical knowledge and practice. In every case sufficient information must be given to ensure that the patient understands in broad terms the nature, likely effects and risks of that treatment including the likelihood of its success and any alternatives to it.
Additional information is a matter of professional judgment for the doctor proposing the treatment.
The patient should be invited to ask questions and the doctor should answer fully, frankly and truthfully. There may be a compelling reason, in the patient's interests, for not disclosing certain information. A doctor who chooses not to disclose must be prepared to justify the decision. If a doctor chooses not to answer a patient's question, he or she should make this clear to the patient so that the patient knows where he or she stands. The patient should be told that his or her consent to treatment can be withdrawn at any time and that fresh consent is required before further treatment can be given or reinstated.