Patient Consent Policy

Vitalize Physiotherapy Ltd
Last updated: 14 October 2026

Vitalize Physiotherapy Ltd is committed to providing safe, effective and professional care. We respect every patient’s right to make informed decisions about their assessment and treatment.

This policy explains how patient consent is obtained, recorded and maintained in accordance with applicable UK law and the professional standards of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

1. Informed Consent

Before assessment or treatment, your therapist will explain, where relevant:

• The nature and purpose of the proposed assessment or treatment.
• The expected benefits, material risks and possible side effects.
• Reasonable alternatives, including the option not to proceed.
• Any relevant limitations or uncertainties associated with treatment.

Patients will have the opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions.

Consent must be given voluntarily, with sufficient understanding and the capacity to make the relevant decision.

2. Initial and Ongoing Consent

All new patients are required to complete and sign an initial patient consent form before treatment begins. This form is normally provided electronically through a link in the initial appointment confirmation email. A paper copy is available at the clinic for patients who prefer or require one.

Consent is an ongoing process and is not limited to the initial signed agreement.

A patient’s voluntary attendance at an appointment and entry into the treatment room may indicate implied consent to participate in the consultation or assessment. However, this does not replace the need for informed consent to specific examinations or treatments.

At subsequent appointments, therapists will confirm the patient’s agreement to the proposed assessment or treatment, normally through verbal consent, which is documented in the clinical record.

Further consent discussions will take place where treatment changes, new risks arise or additional explanation is required. Patients may decline or withdraw consent at any time, including during treatment, without affecting their right to appropriate professional care.

3. Patient Responsibilities

To support safe and appropriate treatment, patients are expected to:

• Provide accurate and relevant information about their medical history, symptoms, medication and existing health conditions.
• Inform their therapist of changes to their health or circumstances that may affect treatment.
• Report any concerns, discomfort or unexpected symptoms during or following treatment.
• Ask for clarification if they do not understand a proposed assessment, treatment or associated risks.
• Follow agreed treatment advice where reasonably possible or discuss any difficulties or concerns with their therapist.

Therapists make clinical decisions based on the information available to them. Incomplete or inaccurate information may affect the safety, suitability or effectiveness of treatment.

4. Physical Examination, Treatment and Clothing

Physiotherapy may involve physical examination, movement assessment, palpation, manual therapy, exercise and other clinically appropriate interventions. Patients may decline any examination or treatment technique or request that it stops at any time.

Patients are encouraged to wear comfortable, appropriate clothing that allows access to the area being assessed or treated.

Where necessary, your therapist may professionally request that you adjust or remove an item of clothing to allow an appropriate examination or treatment. The reason for this will be explained, and your privacy and dignity will be respected.

You are under no obligation to remove clothing if you do not wish to. Your therapist will discuss suitable alternatives where possible, although declining access to an area may limit the assessment or treatment that can be provided.

5. Treatment Expectations and Outcomes

Our therapists aim to provide safe, effective and individually appropriate care, based on your assessment and treatment goals.

As with many physical treatments, some patients may experience temporary soreness, tiredness or changes in their usual symptoms as their body responds to assessment or treatment. Your therapist will explain any relevant risks or considerations beforehand.

Treatment plans are tailored to individual needs, and progress can vary depending on the nature of the condition, general health and other factors. Although we aim to achieve the best possible outcome, specific results or recovery times cannot be guaranteed.

Patients are encouraged to inform their therapist if they experience unexpected symptoms or have concerns about their treatment.

6. Professional Clinical Judgement

Our therapists exercise independent professional judgement when assessing and treating patients. Treatment recommendations are based on clinical findings, professional experience, available evidence and the patient’s individual needs and preferences.

Patients are free to decline any recommended assessment or treatment. Where a patient declines an intervention considered important for safe or effective care, the therapist will explain the material implications and document the discussion where appropriate.

A therapist may modify, postpone, decline or discontinue treatment where they reasonably consider it unsafe, clinically inappropriate or outside their professional competence. Where appropriate, alternative treatment options or referral to another healthcare professional will be discussed.

7. Consent for Children and Young People

For safeguarding purposes, patients under 18 should normally attend appointments accompanied by a parent, guardian or appropriate responsible adult. Exceptions to the accompaniment requirement may be agreed in advance at the therapist’s discretion, taking account of the young person’s maturity, wishes, confidentiality, clinical needs and safeguarding considerations.

Consent will be obtained according to the patient’s age and ability to make decisions:

• Under 16: A parent or person with parental responsibility should normally sign the initial consent form. Children will be involved in decisions about their treatment, and their legal right to consent independently will be respected.
• Aged 16–17: Young people can normally consent to their own treatment and sign their own consent form.
• Where a child cannot provide valid consent: Consent must be obtained from a person with parental responsibility or other appropriate legal authority.

Treatment may be postponed if suitable consent or safeguarding arrangements cannot be established.

8. Patients Who Lack Capacity

Adults are presumed to have capacity to make their own treatment decisions unless there is reason to establish otherwise.

Where a patient lacks capacity to make a particular decision, assessment and treatment decisions will follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and relevant professional guidance.

This includes supporting the patient to participate wherever possible, considering their best interests and involving legally authorised decision-makers where appropriate.

Capacity and consent decisions will be documented in the clinical record where relevant.

9. Patient Behaviour and Professional Boundaries

Patients and therapists are expected to treat one another with courtesy, dignity and respect.

Abusive, threatening, discriminatory, sexually inappropriate or other behaviour that compromises the safety or wellbeing of patients or staff will not be tolerated.

Vitalize Physiotherapy Ltd may decline, suspend or discontinue non-emergency treatment where such behaviour creates a genuine safety concern or seriously undermines the therapeutic relationship.

Decisions will be made fairly, proportionately and in accordance with professional responsibilities. Where appropriate, patients will be advised about alternative care arrangements.

10. Recording and Documentation of Consent

Vitalize Physiotherapy Ltd maintains records of patient consent within its secure Cliniko practice management system.

• Initial appointments: Written or electronic consent is obtained and recorded.
• Subsequent appointments: Ongoing informed verbal consent is obtained and documented within the patient’s clinical notes.
• Changes to treatment: Relevant discussions about treatment options, material risks, alternatives and patient decisions are recorded where appropriate.
• Additional procedures: Further consent discussions and documentation are undertaken where required by the nature or risks of the proposed intervention.

Documentation may include consent confirmations within the clinical record, supported by additional notes where clinically appropriate.

A signed consent form or recorded consent confirmation does not replace the requirement for informed discussion and patient agreement.

11. Confidentiality and Patient Information

Patient information and clinical records are handled confidentially in accordance with applicable UK data protection law and professional standards.

Our separate Privacy Policy explains how personal and medical information is collected, used, stored, shared and protected.

The Privacy Policy is available at www.vitalizephysiotherapy.co.uk/terms-conditions.

12. Questions or Concerns

Patients are encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns about assessment, treatment or consent directly with their therapist.

Further enquiries can be directed to:

Vitalize Physiotherapy Ltd
Simon Noad & Kerrie Noad, Clinic Owners
Email: info@vitalizephysiotherapy.co.uk
Telephone: 07831 465179

13. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains consistent with applicable legislation, professional guidance and clinical practice.