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The Mental Capacity Act 2007 and capacity assessments: a guide for the non-psychiatrist

Elora Mukherjee and Russell Foster
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.8-1-65
Clin Med February 2008
Elora Mukherjee
King's College Hospital, London
Roles: Specialist Registrar
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Russell Foster
King's College Hospital, London
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Abstract

The Mental Capacity Act 2007 affects doctors in all areas of practice. The act recognises that capacity is a ‘balance of probability rather than certainty’, and based on this it attempts to ‘maximise capacity’ in an individual, so to facilitate a decision-making process. The act comprises five key principles as well as a test to determine lack of capacity. It also alludes to areas such as consent by proxy, restraint and capacity, and regulations regarding clinical research. This paper provides a brief background into the fundamental tenets of the act as well as a simple scheme for assessing capacity in hospital inpatients. It also looks at what physicians should be aware of and what will be required of them, particularly from a medico-legal perspective.

  • capacity
  • consent
  • living will
  • Mental Capacity Act 2007
  • © 2008 Royal College of Physicians
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The Mental Capacity Act 2007 and capacity assessments
Elora Mukherjee, Russell Foster
Clinical Medicine Feb 2008, 8 (1) 65-69; DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.8-1-65

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The Mental Capacity Act 2007 and capacity assessments
Elora Mukherjee, Russell Foster
Clinical Medicine Feb 2008, 8 (1) 65-69; DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.8-1-65
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