evidence: Guide to the legal framework that health professionals need to take account of in obtaining valid consent to examination, treatment or care. [...] Since 2001, the Department of Health guidance on consent has required NHS Trusts to adopt a model consent policy, model forms and information leaflets with the aim of ensuring that good practice in seeking consent was put in place throughout the NHS. The department has been considering the future role of its guidance and has been undertaking a review of consent in the NHS which will not only identify and evaluate the NHS approach to, and practice on, gaining consent but which will also evaluate the impact on practice of existing Department of Health guidance and forms. [...] As part of our review, we will evaluate the impact on practice of the Department of Health consent forms and consider the best approach to promoting quality consent processes (including documentation) in the future. In the interim, trusts are free to develop their own documentation, including their consent forms (using the DH model form if they so wish), to reflect the current legal position and reflect local practice as appropriate. These documents include some advice on how legal terminology has evolved since the forms were produced, which may help in this regard.