HCPC Professional Conduct & Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'informed consent' require in clinical practice?
- Provision of relevant information in an understandable way, absence of coercion, and decision-making capacity (Correct answer)
- A signature on a form only
- Verbal agreement alone is sufficient
- Consent is implied for all routine procedures
Correct answer: Provision of relevant information in an understandable way, absence of coercion, and decision-making capacity
Valid informed consent has three elements: the patient must have capacity, receive adequate relevant information (including risks and alternatives), and consent freely without coercion.
Question 2: Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, who can give consent for a person who lacks capacity?
- A decision is made in their best interests by the clinical team, with input from family/carers and any legal proxy (LPA/court-appointed deputy) (Correct answer)
- The next of kin has automatic legal authority to consent
- No treatment can proceed without the patient's own consent
- The GP holds decision-making authority by default
Correct answer: A decision is made in their best interests by the clinical team, with input from family/carers and any legal proxy (LPA/court-appointed deputy)
In England and Wales, if a person lacks capacity, treatment decisions must be made in their best interests, involving those close to them and checking for advance decisions or Lasting Power of Attorney for health.
Question 3: A healthcare professional inadvertently shares a patient's information with the wrong person. What obligations apply?
- Report as a data breach under UK GDPR, notify the patient, report to the organisation's data protection officer (DPO), and consider HCPC obligations (Correct answer)
- Do nothing if the error seems unlikely to cause harm
- Only tell the information governance team if the patient complains
- Only relevant if the information was shared deliberately
Correct answer: Report as a data breach under UK GDPR, notify the patient, report to the organisation's data protection officer (DPO), and consider HCPC obligations
Even inadvertent data breaches must be reported internally to the DPO. If risk of harm to the patient exists, the patient must be notified. HCPC standards on confidentiality and candour also apply.
Question 4: What is the ethical concept of 'veracity' in healthcare?
- The obligation to be truthful with patients and colleagues (Correct answer)
- The accuracy of clinical records only
- The validity of consent forms
- The reliability of clinical measurements
Correct answer: The obligation to be truthful with patients and colleagues
Veracity in healthcare ethics refers to the obligation to be honest and truthful in all professional dealings — with patients about diagnosis and prognosis, and with colleagues about clinical findings.
Question 5: A healthcare professional notices a colleague regularly arrives at work smelling of alcohol. What should they do?
- Report concern through appropriate channels (occupational health, line manager, or directly to HCPC if significant risk) to protect patients (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as it is a personal matter for the colleague
- Only act if a patient makes a complaint
- Confront the colleague aggressively in public
Correct answer: Report concern through appropriate channels (occupational health, line manager, or directly to HCPC if significant risk) to protect patients
HCPC standards require registrants to raise concerns about colleagues whose fitness to practise may be impaired. Alcohol misuse that potentially affects patient safety must be reported through appropriate channels.
Question 6: Which ethical theory holds that the morally right action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number?
- Utilitarianism (Correct answer)
- Deontology
- Virtue ethics
- Principlism
Correct answer: Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism (associated with Bentham and Mill) holds that actions are right if they maximise overall happiness or welfare. It is consequentialist — judging actions by their outcomes.
HCPC Professional Conduct & Ethics 3
What does 'informed consent' require in clinical practice?