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The application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 among geriatric psychiatry patients: a pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2009

Ajit Shah ,
Natalie Banner ,
Chris Heginbotham  and
Bill Fulford
Ajit Shah*
Affiliation:
Institute for Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health, International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion, University of Central Lancashire, Preston and West London Mental Health NHS Trust, London, U.K.
Natalie Banner
Affiliation:
Institute for Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health, International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, U.K.
Chris Heginbotham
Affiliation:
Institute for Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health, International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, U.K.
Bill Fulford
Affiliation:
Institute for Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health, International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, U.K.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Ajit Shah, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, Uxbridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3EU, U.K. Phone: +44 (0)208 354 8191; Fax: +44 (0)208 354 8307. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) was fully implemented in October 2007 in England and Wales. The experience of clinicians working in Old Age Psychiatry, who are likely to have greater experience in the use of MCA, in the early implementation of the MCA was examined.

Methods: Case-notes of 37 patients in seven different Old Age Psychiatry services in two mental health trusts in west London, who had received at least one assessment of decision-making capacity (DMC) for a specific issue, were examined. A qualitative thematic analysis pertaining to the criteria used for the assessment of DMC, determination of best interests, least restrictive option and unwise decision was used for data analysis.

Results: The main findings were: the criteria used for the assessment of DMC and the determination of best interests were those described in the MCA and the accompanying Code of Practice; and clinicians were developing the concepts of least restrictive option and unwise decision with face validity despite the absence of their definitions in the MCA.

Conclusion: Caution should be exercised in extrapolating the findings of this study, which is confined to two Mental Health Trusts in one geographical area and the speciality of Old Age Psychiatry, to other localities and other specialties. Nevertheless, there was evidence that clinicians were following the basic principles of the MCA correctly.

Keywords

Mental Capacity Actcapacityconsentbest interest
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 21 , Issue 5 , October 2009 , pp. 922 - 930
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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