2.5 What is free and enlightened consent?
[Student Manual, page 9]

You must give free and enlightened consent.

Free consent means you give your consent willingly.
You cannot be forced to consent. No one can threaten you,
either physically or mentally, to make you consent.

Enlightened consent means the health care professional must tell you
certain things so you can make an informed decision about your care.

You must know:

• your medical problem;
• what will happen if you do not receive treatment;
• what type of care you will receive;
• any major risks involved;
• any serious risks, even if they do not happen very often;
• any side-effects of treatment;
• other types of treatment available.

2.7 Who can give substitute consent for me?
[Student Manual, page 11]

The following people can give substitute consent, in order:

• the mandatary if you have a mandate in case
  of incapacity (see Section 3);
• the tutor or curator if you do not have a mandate;
• your spouse or next of kin, if there is no tutor
  or curator;
• a close friend.

The person who consents to care for you must consent
only in your interest. This means he/she must consider
what you would want for yourself based on what you
have said in the past.

The person giving substitute consent must also give
free and enlightened consent.