Legal Aspects of Psychiatry Flashcards
The nature of psychiatric disorders means patients may refuse treatment; state 3 domains under which we can treat patients without consent
- Treatment under Mental Capacity Act
- Treatment under Mental Health Act
- Treatment authorised by a court
Briefly outline the aim of the MCA
Identify people who lack capacity to refuse or consent to treatment and to protect them. Only applies to England & Wales.
Remind yourself of the two stage Mental Capacity Assessment
Stage 1 is looking at if there is an impairment of or disturbance of function in a person’s mind or brain?
Stage 2 is looking at if the impairment is sufficient to constitute a loss of capacity; four components:
- Understand information?
- Retain information long enough to make decision?
- Can they weigh up/use that information in process of decision making?
- Communicate decision?
State the 5 key principles of Mental Capacity Act (2005)
- Decisions on behalf of patients must be made in their best interests
- People must be given all appropriate help to make decisions before you decided they do not have capacity e.g. interpreters, multiple attempts (as capacity can fluctuate)
- Unwise decisions are allowed and do not mean patient doesn’t have capacity
- Least restrictive option should be chosen
- Capacity is assumed until proven otherwise
What is a lasting power of attorney?
State the 2 types
- A person, appointed by patient, who can make future decisions on their behalf if they lose capacity
- Two types:
- Property & affairs (property & finance)
- Personal welfare (healthcare, living conditions etc..)
What is an advanced statement?
Is it legally binding?
- When a patient states their wishes and preferences for the future- either verbally or written- if they were to lose capacity
- NOT legally binding
*Must have capacity at time of writing
What is an advance decision/directive?
- Legal document in which a pt can refuse specific treatment(s) in a pre-defined future situation (e.g. loss of capacity). Can only refuse treatment not demand it. Do not allow pts to refuse basic care needs e.g. food, drink, hygiene.
- Legally binding (signed & witnessed)
*Must have capacity at time of writing
State 3 options for advanced care planning
For Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLS), discuss:
- The aim
- If it is part of MCA
- Which countries it applies in
- Who it applies to
- How you get a DoLS?
- Ensures people who cannot consent to their care arrangements in a care home or hospital are protected if those arrangements deprive them of their liberty. A deprivation of liberty occurs when: ‘The person is under continuous supervision and control and is not free to leave, and the person lacks capacity to consent to these arrangements.
- Part of MCA
- England & Wales
- Pts in hospitals and care homes only
- Must apply for authorisation of deprivation of liberty
What is an IMCA?
- Indepedent Mental Capacity Advocate
- Person appointed to support a person who lacks capacity but has no one to speak on their behalf (e.g. no NOK, power of attorney). Help with decisions such as where to live & serious medical treatment options.
- Gather as much information about pt as possibe, raise any concerns and produce report representing pt
Define a mental disorder
Any disorder or disability of the mind; it includes mental illness, personality disorder, learning disabilities, disorders of sexual preference (e.g. paedophilia) but NOT dependence on drugs or alcohol.
What is the MHA (1993, ammended in 2007)/what does it allow you to do?
Allows people with a mental disorder to be sectioned, detained & treated (for their mental disorder) without their consent either for their own health & safety or for the protection of others.
Used for people who:
- Will not consent to admission & treatment voluntarily
- Lack capacity to consent to admission & treatment
**Applies in England & Wales only
What do we mean by formal & informal pts?
Formal= in hospital under MHA
Informal= in hospital voluntarily
AMHP (approved mental health professionals) can make an application for a pt to be sectioned; state some examples of AMHPs
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Psychologists
- OTs
NOT DOCTORS
When should you use MHA?
*HINT: Revise Our Mental Health Act