Ethics

Question 1

What is capacity?

Answer 1

Ability for a person to make a decision

Question 2

To have capacity someone must be able to (3)

Answer 2

Understand and retain relevant knowledge
Use and weight that information to make a decision
Communicate that decision

Question 3

Age of capacity to give consent?

Answer 3

16

Question 4

Use mental health act when?

Answer 4

Use of force
Use of IM medication
Certain treatment e.g. NG tube
Detrimental impact on relationship with carer

Question 5

What is the mental health act ?

Answer 5

Allows treatment of mental disorder or physical consequences of mental disorder in someone without capacity to give consent

Question 6

5 criteria for detention under MHA

Answer 6

1. Mental disorder
2. Significant impaired decision making ability
3. Determining treatment required
4. Significant risk (to others or patient)
5. Informal/voluntary care not appropriate

Question 7

Mental disorder includes

Answer 7

Mental illness, learning disability, personality disorder

Question 8

What is SIDMA?

Answer 8

Significantly impaired decision making ability
Not the same as incapacity
Affects ability to believe, understand and retain information to make decisions - not limited or poor communication

Question 9

Example of SIDMA

Answer 9

Someone with a significant degree of memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating as a result of Alzheimer’s disease
Unable to retain information to allow for informed choices
Thought processes are slowed as a result of poor nutrition secondary to anorexia - unable to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of inpatient treatment as a result of this, she thinks she is overweight and can absorb calories through touching and smelling food - she continues to have poor insight into her physical and mental health despite being presented with evidence to the contrary

Question 10

What are advance statements?

Answer 10

Written statement that is signed by the person, how they would prefer to be treated if they were to become ill in the future
Can be overruled

Question 11

Emergency detention order

Answer 11

72 hours assessment

Does NOT authorize treatment

Question 12

What is a short term detention order?

Answer 12

Up to 28 days for assessment/treatment

Likely mental disorder

Question 13

Compulsory treatment order

Answer 13

Initially up to 6 months
Mental disorder present
Tribunal mandatory