General Consent Form to take full effect on 30 January

26 January 2017: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) wishes to remind the public that all patients have to expressly consent to their care before medical treatment or services can be afforded.

The General Consent Form was introduced in August but started with a few departments. On Monday 30 January, this requirement will be applicable in all departments located at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Traditionally it has been assumed that anyone attending the hospital wanted treatment. Introduction of the General Consent Form now formalises this relationship. The General Consent Form covers routine medical care and non-invasive procedures. Simply put, it is your consent to care. It is worth noting that BHB has always required consent forms for invasive procedures such as surgery and blood transfusions, and that use of these will continue.

Members of the public do not have to sign the form, but failure to sign it means no treatment or services will be given.

Processes are in place for those who are vulnerable and unable to sign on their own behalf. These processes will be extended and used with this additional consent form.

Members of the public can visit the BHB website to review the form as well as frequently asked questions and answers. Anyone requiring more information about the form can telephone 239-1553.

• BHB General Consent Form
• BHB General Consent Factsheet

Notes to Editors
The Bermuda Hospitals Board is a quango (quasi autonomous non-governmental organisation) established under the Bermuda Hospitals Board Act, 1970. It has a Bermuda Government-approved Board and a Chief Executive Officer, responsible for King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute. At the heart of both organisations is high quality care to all patients.

With approximately 1,700 employees, the Bermuda Hospitals Board is Bermuda’s second largest employer. King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute are the only healthcare organisations in Bermuda accredited by Accreditation Canada, an independent organisation whose role is to help hospitals examine and improve the quality of care and service they provide to their clients. In addition to providing an extensive list of services for the community, the Bermuda Hospitals Board is part of a referral network that includes some of the world’s leading specialist hospitals.

For more information, please visit www.bdahospitaldev.wpengine.com or contact the Bermuda Hospitals Board Public Relations Department at publicrelations@bhb.bm.

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