This is based on professional assessment of needs, clinical appropriateness, and, inevitably, competing demands for finite resources. An adult patient […]

Valid consent for treatment or care is essential. Without it, professionals delivering that treatment or care could be committing a […]

Valid consent for treatment or care can normally come from anyone who holds parental responsibility [1]. The expectation is that someone […]

For decisions about health and welfare, the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) applies to everyone over the age of 16 years. […]

The decision about who is the best interests decision-maker is a crucial point, and the unhelpful answer is that it […]

“Best interests” decision-making should always be collaborative. Whoever is the best interests decision-maker, there is an obligation in the MCA […]

Where a person has capacity for a decision about specific medical treatment now, they can make an Advance Decision to […]

Sometimes, best interests decisions about care or treatment for someone who lacks capacity to make those decisions for themselves can […]