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Part of DAPB3051 Identity Verification and Authentication Standard for Health and Care, Authorisation Use Case: Proxy

4.3.3 Obtain the patient’s informed consent to proxy access, if appropriate

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4.3.2 Understand if the patient has the ability to consent

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4.3.4 Verify evidence of a basis for access if the patient cannot consent

For patients with the ability to consent, clinical professionals must get the patient's informed consent before granting proxy access. Refer to the MCA code of practice (Chapter 3). 

To provide informed consent, the patient must be aware of:  

  • the availability of self-access as an alternative option to proxy access 

  • what proxy access is 

  • what the proxy will be able to see and do on their behalf 

  • how long proxy access is being granted for 

  • what information has or has not been redacted from a proxy's view 

  • their ability to request further redaction of information before proxy access is granted 

  • how to request redaction on an ongoing basis 

  • the organisation's policy on suspending and revoking access 

It is important to account for the patient's communication needs as part of this process. Patients must have the information they need provided to them in a way they understand to make an informed decision about proxy access. For example, professionals must use a formal interpreter as part of gathering informed consent if the patient needs one.

Last edited: 6 May 2026 1:59 pm

Previous Chapter

4.3.2 Understand if the patient has the ability to consent

Next Chapter

4.3.4 Verify evidence of a basis for access if the patient cannot consent

Chapters

  1. DAPB3051 Identity Verification and Authentication Standard for Health and Care, Authorisation Use Case: Proxy
  2. Glossary
  3. Use of the terms "must" and "should" in this guidance
  4. 1.0 Overview
  5. 1.1 Purpose of this standard
  6. 1.2 Who this standard applies to
  7. 1.3 What this standard does not cover
  8. 1.4 Compatibility with other standards and guidelines
  9. 2.1 Types of proxy access: formal and informal proxy access
  10. 2.2 Types of proxy access: Records access by a clinical professional
  11. 3.0 Roles and responsibilities
  12. 4.0 Grant proxy access
  13. 4.1 Assess if access is appropriate
  14. 4.1.1 Establish whether access is necessary
  15. 4.1.2 Establish whether access is relevant
  16. 4.1.3 Establish whether access is safe
  17. 4.2 Establish a basis for access
  18. 4.3 Check evidence relevant to the basis for access
  19. 4.3.1 Verify the proxy and patient’s identity
  20. 4.3.2 Understand if the patient has the ability to consent
  21. 4.3.3 Obtain the patient’s informed consent to proxy access, if appropriate
  22. 4.3.4 Verify evidence of a basis for access if the patient cannot consent
  23. 4.4 Redact sensitive information based on what is being shared
  24. 4.5 Audit decisions about proxy access
  25. 4.6 Communicate the outcome of a decision to grant or deny proxy access
  26. 5.0 The scope of proxy access
  27. 6.0 System audit of proxy access
  28. 7.0 Managing proxy access
  29. 7.1 Ongoing reviews of proxy access
  30. 7.2 Age and development based reviews of access
  31. 7.3 Time-bound reviews of access
  32. 7.4 Wider events that materially affect proxy access
  33. Appendix A: Ways to evidence a basis for access if the patient is not capable of providing informed consent
  34. Appendix B: Driver diagram articulating the strategic aims of this information standard