[Heather-H]

Out of curiosity...

There is also no such thing as 'informed consent'.

What does that mean, exactly? I am familiar with the concept of "informed consent", but how do your laws differ?

It seems to me that it would mean the individual is not responsible for his own decisions, or that medical professionals are not required to inform you of risks. Is either of those the case?

In America, we do have some strange laws, but when it comes to consent and liability, it makes a certain amount of sense. When you buy a ladder, it comes with a sticker that tells you not to stand on the very top of it. So, if you stand on top, and fall and die, the manufacturer is absolved of responsibility because they told you not to do it. But no one is going to stop you from standing on top -- there's no law against it. Once the manufacturer has warned you of the risks, you, the user, are responsible for using your ladder safely.

So, I'm wondering how the laws in the UK differ philosophically.

Hi MissC,
Believe it or not but I had never heard of the phrase until it was used on this forum by another member. I took it to mean that ' we would not normally administer these drugs without pre-checks, however if you wish to take on the responsibility without the pre-checks then you do so at your own risk' ! Here in the UK no such avenue exists, a doctor or physician will not ( under any circumstances that I am aware of ) allow the checks to be circumvented, so the patient has no choice but to follow the prescribed path.

If I have used this incorrectly please accept my apologies, I am not renowned for ' being the sharpest knife in the drawer'
I do fully understand your analogy.

Hugs
Heather