Your Surgery & Procedure Guide
Evidence-based information to help you understand what to expect before, during, and after NHS surgery — including your legal rights in the consent process.
"An informed patient is empowered to ask the right questions."
General health information only. This guide is intended to support informed decision-making and does not replace advice from your surgical team. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your hospital.
NHS (National Health Service) — The NHS provides free healthcare at the point of use for UK residents, funded through taxation.
Emergency: 999 (Emergency) / 111 (Non-urgent)
Legal basis: Montgomery v Lanarkshire [2015] UKSC 11 · GMC Decision Making and Consent 2020 · NHS Constitution 2023
Montgomery standard — doctors must disclose all risks a reasonable patient would consider significant.
- You must give voluntary, informed consent before any procedure
- You have the right to refuse treatment, even life-saving treatment, if you have mental capacity
- Consent must be given freely without pressure or coercion
- You must be told about all reasonable treatment alternatives
- For planned surgery, written consent (NHS Consent Form) is standard practice
If you lack capacity temporarily (e.g. under anaesthesia), treatment may proceed in your best interest under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
ClariHealth — Creating more informed patients
Information in this guide is drawn from NHS England, Royal College publications, and UK statute law. It is designed to help you ask better questions and feel more confident engaging with your surgical team. It is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.