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Health > ECT Treatments

Freedom of Information request ECT Treatments

Response published: 16 September 2026

FOI Request

Dear Sir/Madam,   I am writing for an FOI request regarding ECT treatments.   I would like to know the following:   1. What information (verbal, written) is given to patients prior to receiving ECT? Please provide a copy if a digital version exists, or otherwise list what information is provided regarding the procedure and potential side effects. 2. What is the level of consent and procedure prior to initiating ECT procedures? (e.g. is patient consent always required, or can it be overridden by a medical expert? Is there a standard procedure or a case-by-case basis?)   I look forward to your response in due time.   Kind regards,

FOI Response

Freedom of Information Request – Ref: GHC-12062026-224199

Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request. Please find our response below.

You asked:

1. What information (verbal, written) is given to patients prior to receiving ECT? Please provide a copy if a digital version exists, or otherwise list what information is provided regarding the procedure and potential side effects.

2. What is the level of consent and procedure prior to initiating ECT procedures? (e.g. is patient consent always required, or can it be overridden by a medical expert? Is there a standard procedure or a case-by-case basis?)

Our response:

Please see the ECT Care Pathway linked below. It contains the information provided to patients about ECT, including the procedure and potential side effects, and explains the applicable consent requirements and procedures.

Revised+ECT+Care+Pathway (2)

Next steps:

Should you have any queries in relation to our response, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your request and wish to ask us to review our response, you should write to:

Louise Moss
Head of Legal Services / Associate Director of Corporate Governance
c/o Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth, GL3 4AW
E-mail: louise.moss20@nhs.net

If you are not content with the outcome of any review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for further advice/guidance. Generally, the ICO will not consider your case unless you have exhausted your enquiries with the Trust which should include considering the use of the Trust’s formal complaints procedure. The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.