title: Mental capacity and decision making: defining capacity.
abstract: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 came fully into force on 1st October 2007 (some sections came into force on 1 April 2007). This series of articles considers some of the key features of the Act, including the concepts of best interests, the lasting power of attorney, the role of the new Court of Protection, the Office of Public Guardian and the deputies of the Court, to name but a few. This first article looks at the central feature of the Act: how mental capacity is determined.
authors: University of Glamorgan, Wales.
authors: Bridgit
authors: B
authors: Dimond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom