Decision specific assessments of capacity and the CQC

A recently published inspection report for the older peoples wards in a mental health NHS Trust raised the issue of decision specific assessments of mental capacity as required by the Mental Capacity Act. The inspection report stated:

‘Staff did not always assess people’s capacity for specific decisions throughout their care and treatment. For example, we observed staff limiting one patient’s intake of coffee without a capacity assessment in place. Staff could not confirm if the patient lacked capacity. Making decisions on behalf of a person must only take place if a capacity assessment is completed along side a best interest meeting.’

[note: you don’t need a meeting to make a best interests decision for this sort of decision]

Download the report from: https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RT1/reports/AP19225/wards-for-older-people-with-mental-health-problems

Download free MCA resources: https://www.edgetraining.org.uk/resources

Books and wallcharts on the MCA, DoLS and MHA: https://www.bookswise.org.uk/

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