Consent to treatment
Nothing is given or done without your agreement. Before a vaccine, a treatment or a supply, the pharmacist explains what it is for, what it involves, the common side effects and anything that might make it unsuitable for you, and answers your questions. You then decide. Booking an appointment is not consent to the treatment; the conversation at the appointment is.
You can ask for time to think, ask for information in writing, or decide against it, at any point up to the moment it is given.
Who can give consent
An adult who understands what is proposed gives their own consent. If someone is unable to make a particular decision, the pharmacist follows the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and acts in their best interests, involving those close to them.
A child under 16 is normally brought by a parent or guardian, who gives consent. A young person under 16 who fully understands what is proposed may consent for themselves, which is for the pharmacist to judge. Between 16 and 18 a young person can consent for themselves, and we still ask a parent or guardian to book and to attend.
If you book for someone else, you are telling us that they know and agree to the appointment. Their consent to the treatment itself is taken from them, at the appointment.
Sharing with your GP and the NHS
An NHS service - a Pharmacy First consultation, an NHS vaccination, a blood pressure check - is recorded and reported as the NHS requires, and your GP practice is told, so that your record is complete. Using an NHS service is agreeing to that.
For a private vaccination or treatment, we will ask at the appointment whether you would like your GP told. It is usually in your interest - a vaccine should appear in your record so that it is not repeated - but it is your choice.
Being contacted
Confirmations, reminders and changes to an appointment are sent by email and by text message to the details you gave, by Booked, the appointment system we use from trybooked.co. They are part of the booking rather than marketing, and they stop when there is nothing left to tell you. We do not send marketing; if we ever ask to, it will be a separate question with a separate answer, and you can say no.
Cookies on this website
The banner on this website asks for consent to optional cookies, and the Cookie choices button at the foot of every page lets you change the answer. What is set, and what is recorded of your answer, is in the cookie policy.
Changing your mind
Consent can be withdrawn at any time, by telling the pharmacist, calling 020 8393 1000, or writing to us. Withdrawing it does not affect anything already done with your agreement, and it never affects the care you are offered afterwards.