Informal patient agreement

Law and practice Other
1

Is an agreement for an informal patient placed in an independent providers care necessary?

Patient will be resident on a ward along with detained patients and therefore the doors remain locked for safety etc. However aware that the informal patient is free to leave at any time.

Is an agreement necessary to set out the expectations of their stay and their conduct whilst resident or would an information leaflet to explain their rights as an informal patient be sufficient?

2

I see no harm in putting a written agreement together. Its a contract setting out what is expected of the patient and what the providers aim’s are in terms of assessment/treatment etc. I am aware that such a document is used in NHS facilities.

3

Certainly in nhs units the CQC do not like an agreement as such, they are voluntary after all. I think a leaflet and a self assessment prior to leave is helpful and what we use