The patient–doctor relationship is consensual and based on trust. However, it is asymmetrical, and the balance of power is tipped in favour of the clinician. Over the years, there has been a concerted movement to level the playing field and put the patient right at the centre of the decision-making process related to care and treatment. Consequently, the modern practice of healthcare has come to emphasise the importance of patient autonomy or the right to self-determination. Hence, consent from the patient is imperative in every area of healthcare—from the implied to the verbal to the formally documented. This chapter deals with ethical principles governing the issues surrounding the practice of obtaining informed consent from the patient prior to surgery or any invasive procedure that carries the risk of harm.