Citation

Brahams D. Lancet 1985; 1(8427): 528-530.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2857897

Abstract

A 21 February 1985 House of Lords decision in the case of Sidaway v. Bethlem Royal Hospital was concerned with the minimum requirements of the doctor's duty to volunteer information to patients on the risks of treatment, particularly surgery. The judgment, that adequate information had been given to Mrs. Sidaway, was in accord with the traditional standard evolving from the 1957 case of Bolam v. Friern Hospital Management Committee, which based the standard primarily on competent medical opinion. The judgment added a proviso, however, allowing court intervention if medical opinion does not support the giving of enough information to enable the patient to reach a balanced decision. Brahams describes the diverse arguments of the five judges involved, and comments on the effect that patient inquiries might have in determining the level of risk necessitating disclosure.

Language: en