Objective To determine the current practice among British urologists f
or obtaining written consent for flexible cystoscopy and other minor p
rocedures under local anaesthesia. Methods Postal questionnaires were
sent to full members of The British Association of Urological Surgeons
practising in the UK asking if they obtained written informed consent
for local anaesthetic procedures, e.g. flexible cystoscopy, urethral
dilatation, and urethral catheterization for retention, for urodynamic
s or for intravesical chemotherapy. They were also asked whether they
recorded that the risks and benefits of the procedure had been explain
ed to the patient. Results Respondents were divided on whether they ob
tained written consent for flexible cystoscopy and urethral dilatation
. Most did not obtain written consent for catheterization for retentio
n, urodynamics, intravesical chemotherapy or suprapubic catheterizatio
n. The policy was inconsistent both between and within urologists. Con
clusion Given the medicolegal importance of informed consent, consensu
s among urologists is required so that national guidelines can be deve
loped and a more rational policy applied.