Jehovah's Witnesses (aspects of consent)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Jehovah's Witnesses do not normally permit any form of tissue transplantation, notably blood transfusion. Adults have this right to refuse and giving transfusion without consent is a battery. It is advisable to warn the patient of the risks incurred by such a refusal in front of a witness and to obtain written acknowledgement that the patient understands these risks.

With children of Jehovah's Witnesses, National Health Service Circular No. 1975 (GEN)81 advises:

"The decision whether or not to provide a blood transfusion or to operate to save the life of a child, despite the wishes of the child's parents, should be taken by the consultant concerned on the basis of his clinical judgement and after a full discussion with the parents.

A consultant would run little risk in a court of law if, in acting according to his conscience, he obtained: a. the written supporting opinion of a medical colleague that the patient's life was in danger if the treatment were withheld; and b. an acknowledgement from the parents, preferably in writing or before a witness, that the danger had been explained to them and that their consent was still withheld"

The objection to blood products by Jehovah's Witnesses is based on interpretation of many references in the Bible, including Acts 15;29: "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things."