Description

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This easy-to-read book explains the nuts and bolts of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 that clinicians need to understand and use in their daily practice. This Act now gives all clinicians the authority to provide medical care and treatment for people over 16 years of age who lack the capacity to consent for themselves. It covers: how to assess whether a person lacks capacity and how to clarify the threshold of decision-making incapacity; the range, scope and limitations of the various authorities to treat (including 'best interests' decisions, advance decisions and lasting powers of attorney); the range of safeguards in place (such as the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs), the Court of Protection and Independent Mental Health Advocates); and relevant aspects of the Human Rights Act 1998, the Mental Health Act (including all recent amendments) and illustrative case law. There have been numerous developments in case law in the two years since the first edition. The second edition expands on clinically relevant issues from the courts, and assists in bridging the gap between court judgments and the frontline clinician.

About the Author

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About the editors: Dr Nick Brindle - Old Age Consultant Psychiatrist, The Mount (Mental Health Centre), Leeds. Dr Tim Branton - Old Age Consultant Psychiatrist, The Mount, Leeds and a former Associate Medical Director for Mental Health Legislation, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Alison Stansfield - Consultant Psychiatrist, Aire Court Community Unit, Leeds and Associate Medical Director for Learning Disabilities and Clinical Lead for Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Tony Zigmond - Consultant Psychiatrist and retired Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Leeds.