Consenting
to ECT
Because ECT has been a controversial treatment
in the past, its use in Australia is regulated
by laws in each State. Most patients are able
to make their own informed decision about having
ECT and can give written consent once the treatment
and its potential risks and benefits have been
fully explained.
Occasionally patients are too ill to be able to
understand the treatment and its benefits and risks,
and are unable to give informed consent. The various
State laws contain provisions that allow these patients
to be given ECT if it is necessary. The patient's
rights are protected during this process in a similar
manner to the safeguards involved in an involuntary
admission to hospital.
