CONSENT

You are entitled to ask questions, and to be given as much information as possible regarding treatment with ECT. Normally you can refuse the treatment. You will be asked to sign a consent form for treatment before a course starts. You can withdraw consent at ant time.

You should not be put under undue pressure to have ECT.

You are still fully entitled to other forms of treatment and care if you refuse to have ECT.

In rare cases, a doctor may decide to use ECT without the patient's consent. A doctor can do this in the following circumstances:

• In the extremely urgent, life-threatening situations, for example, if someone is not eating or drinking or may die.
• If a patient is too ill to be able to give meaningful consent, for example if someone is very confused
• In the case of anyone who is detained in hospital under a section of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act on either a 28 day or six month order, a member of the independent Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland must agree before a patient is given ECT without clear consent. This is also the case with anyone who has come into hospital through the courts

Anyone who is in hospital compulsorily is entitled to ask for a review of the 'section' by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland. If the Commission considers the 'section' unwarranted, they have the power to discharge the patient from the section.

When deciding whether someone will have ECT, both 'sectioned' and voluntary patients, relatives or carers are normally involved in the discussion if there is doubt about the patient's consent.

The final decision lies with the doctor, except where the law requires the involvement of the Mental Welfare Commission, as described above.

If you have doubts about having ECT, get independent advice if you possibly can.

Speak to a friend or relative, or see the back page of this booklet for request form and details of organisations who might be able to give you help and information. If you are currently an in-patient in hospital, you are entitled to request outside ad vice - ask a member of staff or a friend or relative to arrange this for you.

Anyone who feels they have been put under undue pressure to have ECT can take this up with the doctor, the hospital Complaints Officer or - if that fails to resolve things - with the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (address on contacts page).