Policies

Organisation Name: House of Vein
Policy Lead: Penina Muyal
Policy Created: 19 May 2025
Review Date: 19 May 2026

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out the procedures used by House of Vein to obtain, record, and manage consent to care and treatment, in line with current legal and ethical standards. This policy applies to all staff involved in the provision of treatments, including phlebotomy and aesthetic procedures.

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2. Policy Statement

House of Vein is committed to ensuring that all individuals receiving care or treatment give informed consent freely, with full understanding of the nature, purpose, and risks of the proposed procedures. Consent must be voluntary, informed, and given by an individual with the capacity to decide.

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3. Legislation and Guidance

This policy complies with and is informed by the following:

• Mental Capacity Act 2005

• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

• General Medical Council (GMC) Guidance on Consent

• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

• Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards

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4. The Five Principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

1. Presumption of capacity – Every adult has the right to make their own decisions unless proven otherwise.

2. Support to make a decision – A person must be supported in all practicable ways to help them make a decision.

3. Right to make unwise decisions – A person is not to be treated as lacking capacity simply because they make an unwise decision.

4. Best interests – Any act or decision made on behalf of a person lacking capacity must be in their best interests.

5. Least restrictive option – Decisions must be made in a way that least restricts the person’s rights and freedoms.

5. Seeking and Recording Consent

• Consent will be obtained prior to any treatment, and recorded on a signed consent form specific to the procedure.

• Verbal and written consent must be sought using language that is clear and accessible.

• Clients must be given adequate information, including risks, benefits, alternatives, and the option to withdraw consent at any time.

• Clients will be given time to ask questions and to consider their options.

6. Informed Consent

• Consent is only valid if it is informed.

• Practitioners must ensure that clients understand the procedure and are not under pressure or coercion.

• Leaflets or written information about treatments will be provided as appropriate.

7. Mental Capacity and Best Interests

• If a client may lack capacity to give consent, a capacity assessment must be conducted.

• If capacity is lacking, decisions will be made in the client’s best interests, taking into account their known wishes, beliefs, and values.

• Where possible, decisions will involve family members, carers, or an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA).

8. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

• If care arrangements could amount to a deprivation of liberty (e.g., where a client is under continuous supervision and not free to leave), a DoLS authorisation must be sought from the relevant local authority.

9. Advocacy

• Clients who may find it difficult to understand or express their views will be supported to access an advocate or IMCA.

10. Review and Monitoring

• This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or best practice guidance changes.

• Staff will receive regular training on consent, capacity, and safeguarding to ensure compliance.