A review of consent policies in dermatological surgery in the UK and the impact of leaner pathways and teledermatology on consent.

This article examines the current challenges and developments in obtaining valid informed consent in UK dermatological surgery, particularly following the 2015 Montgomery ruling, which requires clinicians to ensure patients are aware of all material risks and alternatives related to their treatment. It highlights the increasing use of streamlined care pathways—such as one-stop clinics, direct booking to surgery (DBS), and teledermatology—that may limit face-to-face interactions and reduce patients’ time for reflection, potentially compromising the quality and legality of consent. The two-stage consent process, involving initial information provision followed by confirmation at a later time, is advocated to enhance patient understanding and autonomy. To address consent challenges, the article discusses the benefits of multimedia educational tools and standardized procedure-specific consent forms (PSCFs) in improving patient comprehension and satisfaction. Overall, maintaining meaningful, individualized dialogue throughout the care pathway remains essential to uphold ethical and legal standards in dermatological surgery consent.