What you'll get from this guide
- A practical guidance on how to assess capacity and the basic principles in the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
- Information on assessing best interests, dispute resolution, use of restraint and deprivation of liberty.
- Advance refusals of treatment and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).
How to use this guide
The tool kit is designed to raise doctors’ awareness of the Mental Capacity Act, and to provide an aid for good decision making.
It is not intended to provide definitive guidance on all the issues surrounding the Act. In cases of doubt, legal advice should be sought.
This tool kit applies to England and Wales.
In Scotland, decision making in this area is covered by the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.
In Northern Ireland, decision making is currently governed by the common law, although at the time of writing change was anticipated.