Recording an appt with consultant. Do-able?

[housemdwaswrong]

Does anyone know if we could record an appt with consultant? My mum has cognitive issues, early dementia, but is determined to be independent. But she won't remember anything that is said.

Could we ask to record it just for payback, not for legal reasons or anything like that. Her dementia is recorded on her files obviously.

Thanks

Yes, she is absolutely entitled to record the consultation as an aide-memoire. If she explains at the outset that that is what she wants to do and why, that shouldn't be a problem. She is actually entitled to record it covertly (see MDU advice to doctors: www.themdu.com/guidance-and-advice/journals/good-practice-june-2014/patients-recording-consultations) but I would strongly suggest you tell the doctor as a courtesy. Good luck!

Sorry, link mot working due to bracket, will try again:

www.themdu.com/guidance-and-advice/journals/good-practice-june-2014/patients-recording-consultations

If that’s not possible could they call you during the appointment so you can listen in and take notes?

@stonecoldbitch

Thank you, that's great. I think I will ring ahead tomorrow and explain that's what she is doing. That's just what I needed. Thank you.

@wrongkindofface she wouldn't let them. Good idea though, but she'd rather walk out I think. Dementia is a strange beast.

Just ask and they’ll consent to recording the appointment. I do clinics and have no problem at all with them being recorded and neither do any of my colleagues. It’s common courtesy to record it openly though. Some people try and sneakily record but we can always see them fiddling with the phone trying to get it to work and then attempting to position it in a way that captures what’s being said.

That's fab @vickilouable that's fab. Thank you. I'd never dream of trying to hide it, it's not to catch anyone out. It's just so I know what's been said. I think ill go in and ask if I can set it to record then leave. That way she'll have her independence but I'll be clued up. GP did mention cancer as it's a lump that's changed, so I'd quite like to know!

If I use my phone, she won't touch it love her. Thank you.

They should only consent to recording (or even discuss it with you) if one of the following apply;
-your mother gives her consent to recording and her medical team discussing her with you

• you have been given LPA(Health and welfare) and your mother lacks capacity to agree or reject recording.

• your mother lacks capacity to agree or reject recording and there has been a best interest decision about recording
• you have been appointed as a deputy.

It’s hard, but you cannot make any decisions she is able to be supported to make for herself.

If you go and ask and the staff record without asking your mother, they are likely to be breaking the law and they risk their professional registration. Don’t be surprised if it’s not quite as simple as suggested.

No, but if I go in with her and set it to record for her, then she has agreed hasn't she, or she would say no, and I couldn't do it. She is okay about recording it, strangely. I wouldn't t be doing it without her knowledge.

I wouldn't ask the staff to record it.

Yes, that’s fine if you do it with her agreement to the recording and you having the recording. It’s not fine unless you specifically say you are recording- all sorts of different rules about covert filming.

A simple , “I’m putting the recording on now so we can listen together later, that’s ok with you isn’t it?” Is consent enough.

You might want to talk to her about LPA or even apply for deputyship dependent on how advanced her condition is. It makes life simpler as her needs become greater.

Cool. Ta. It's such a minefield. Her mini mentasl never get any worse, primarily because she was an accountant so all the number things she sails through. But if they spoke to her an hour later there's a fair chance she won't remember the appt.

She's so resistant to me though, so agreeing to record is a miracle, so I'll take the win for now. She could of course change her mind by Friday, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Good luck. It’s a hard journey for you both. LPA can be given but doesn’t come into effect until capacity is lost. A conversation about who she’d want making decisions for her, if she became unwell, might persuade her of the need.

I've broached it, and she wasn't as resistant as I'd expected. So hopefully in place by the end of this year. :/

Thank you.