MEDICO – LEGAL - Is your patient sound enough to make a decision?

As a general practitioner, you will regularly be required to assess a patient’s mental capacity, whether to determine their ability to provide a valid consent or to determine whether they can make other decisions for themselves.

This session will explore the following:

• What is capacity to consent and how is it assessed? If someone is depressed, are they able to refuse treatment?
• When can a child give valid consent independently of their parents/guardian? In what circumstances can a blood transfusion be given to a child?
• When providing treatment and the patient lacks capacity to consent, who can make medical decisions on their behalf?
• What are the legal issues when performing an assessment of testamentary capacity?

Supported by Avant Mutual Group