RIGHTS OF PATIENTS TO SELF DETERMINATION IN THE MEDICAL CONTEXT UNDER ENGLISH AND NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

It is a fundamental principle of Medical law and Ethics that a medical practitioner should obtain the informed consent of a competent patient. This is in line with the principle of self determination and best interests of a patient as gone are the days when a trust me, I am a doctor approach justified the imposition of treatment on a patient .Treating a competent patient without obtaining his consent would amount to a contravention of a patients’ rights not to suffer, torture or inhuman and degrading treatment. This work, therefore, considers the rights of patients to self determination in the course of his treatment.