Digital consent for treatment

We are in the process of rolling out digital consent across our hospitals. This means that if you are coming to see us for a procedure or operation, we may ask you to sign an online consent form instead of a paper version. 

Providing your consent

When you meet with one of our clinicians, they will talk you through the options for an operation or procedure. They will:

  • explain any planned treatment to you in a way you can understand.
  • involve you in all the decisions about your care or treatment.

Our clinician will show you the consent form on screen, and explain exactly what’s involved and everything you need to know before agreeing this is the right thing for you. 

You can sign the consent form while in clinic or choose to have it sent to you electronically so you can sign at home. 

Will everyone be asked to provide digital consent?

Not at the moment. We’re in the process of rolling out digital consent across our departments, so some departments are already using digital consent and others remain on the paper-based system. The long-term goal is to roll this out across all procedures within the trust, helping to improve efficiency, patient safety, and record-keeping.

What this means for you

  • You will receive information about your procedure in clear, accessible language, to help you make an informed decision.
  • You can review your consent form at a time that suits you, either on your own device or on a trust-provided tablet during your appointment.
  • The consent documentation is presented in English; interpreters and in-browser translation tools are available to support you.
  • If you have further questions then you can arrange a time to discuss your procedure with your doctor or nurse and talk through the risks, benefits, and alternatives before signing the consent form.

I have questions about the process of providing digital consent

How does the process work?

Data is entered into the digital consent application by a doctor or an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. They modify the consent information to meet the needs of the individual patient and then either share it with the patient immediately or send it to them via email or text message to review later. After reviewing the information provided, the patient can document their consent to the proposed treatment or ask their healthcare professional for further information.

How can I complete my consent at home?

Provided your consent has been shared with you by the clinician in charge of your care, you can sign your consent via your smartphone or computer at home if you have access to the internet by using your finger or with an accessory which is capable of capturing an electronic signature.

Can someone consent on my behalf?

Yes. Our process remains the same. If you are a parent, guardian, person with legal responsibility for another, you will still be able to sign on behalf of the patient. For more information you can discuss this further with your clinician.

Does it cost me to receive the text and open the link provided?

No, this service is free to our patients.

You will need internet access to open the link.

Help and support

I’ve received an email or text, but why can’t I access the link provided?

The most common reason is when the communication is for a family member who we have your mobile phone number or email address for (e.g. a child), you need to use their date of birth to verify and not your own. Try this first. Please contact your clinical team if you still have issues.

How will I know the message I’ve received is not spam?

Your text message will be addressed from “Concentric”.

It will read ‘Dear [Name]’ and will provide a secure, randomly generated link which you can only open with the date of birth which you have confirmed with Royal Surrey.

Your email message will be addressed from “Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust (via Concentric) notifications@concentric.health”

It will be titled “Important information about your upcoming treatment”.

It will include the Royal Surrey logo and will read ‘Dear [Name]’

The ‘View my information link’ will only be accessible by using the date of birth you have confirmed with Royal Surrey.

I haven't received my email

Please search your emails for 'concentric' and check your spam folder in the first instance. Contact your clinical team if you still can't find the email.

What if I do not have a computer, smartphone, or email, or need help?

If you do not have access to a computer, smartphone, or email, or if you find it difficult to use the online form, please let your care team know. We can support you during your visit by going through the consent form with you and helping you complete it. Our priority is to make sure you understand your treatment and feel supported throughout the process.

What if I change my mind and no longer want to consent?

It is completely okay to have second thoughts at any time. If this happens, please talk to your doctor or nurse. They will want to understand how you are feeling, answer any questions you may have, and discuss all the options with you. After discussion with your clinical team, your consent can be changed or withdrawn if needed.

What if I have more questions on the day of treatment?

You are encouraged to ask questions at any time during your care. You will meet the team again on the day of treatment. They will answer any further questions and confirm your consent to proceed.

I have some questions about how my data is used

What is my data used for?

The data will only ever be used by Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust to manage the consent process as part of your treatment. It will not be used for any other purposes, such as research or population health management, unless we contact you and specifically ask for permission to do so.

Where is my data stored?

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is used for all hosting and data processing, within a data centre in the UK. GCP is compliant with all healthcare information governance requirements.

Once the consent episode is completed, a pdf version of the consent form is automatically transferred into the trust’s electronic patient record systems.

How is my data protected?

All data is protected following industry best practice with regard to access controls and encryption.

The trust manages clinicians' access, and password strengths rules are enforced. Patients are sent an email with a unique link and enter their date of birth in order to verify their identity.

All data is stored using leading encryption methods and is transferred securely.

About the organisation we have partnered with to run digital consent

Who is the company providing the service?

We lead and manage the digital patient consent process in partnership with Concentric Health.

Concentric Health is a UK-based company with headquarters in Cardiff, Wales.

Concentric Health Ltd. Registration number: 10733991.

Address:

Concentric Health
sbarc | spark
Maindy Road
Cardiff
CF24 4HQ

Find out more on the Concentric website.

Why am I being contacted by Concentric?

You may be contacted electronically after you have signed your consent in order to complete a short survey about your experience of the consent process. By completing this survey you are contributing to the potential improvement of our consent services, however it is entirely your choice if you wish to complete this survey or not. Whilst currently you can’t opt out of receiving the survey, you can opt out of completing it.

How will I be contacted by Concentric?

You may receive genuine communication from your clinician via Concentric, either as an email from the email address notifications@concentric.health or a text from a mobile contact named ‘Concentric’.