title: Leg ulcers: mental capacity of a difficult patient.
abstract: This article explores the legal issues which arise for community nurses when patients fail to comply with their instructions. It looks at the importance of determining the mental capacity of the patient and the different situations which can arise, depending upon the outcome of the assessment of mental capacity. It discusses the nurse's responsibility to her patient and identifies the steps needed to have someone committed without their consent. It also considers the possibility of a patient having to be admitted to hospital compulsorily under the Mental Health Act 1983.
authors.affiliation: University of Glamorgan.
authors.forename: Bridgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dimond
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom