§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure(a) the use of steroid warning cards and (b) that a right of informed consent is given to patients prescribed corticosteroids.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe use of steroid treatment cards is a well-established practice. We have no plans to discontinue their use.
Under the patients charter, patients have a right to be consulted about, and to be given an adequate explanation of, their proposed course of treatment, and information on alternatives available through the national health service. However, there will be some cases where doctors will feel that informing patients of the treatment proposed and possible risks could be counter-productive to the well-being of the patient. In such cases, the decision on whether the patient should be informed of the proposed treatment and possible risks or not is for the doctor's discretion.