Legal aspects of mental capacity : a practical guide for health and social care professionals

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction : anatomy of the Mental Capacity Act and its terms -- Background to the legal system and the Mental Capacity Act -- Human rights and statutory principles for governing decision making -- Definition of mental capacity -- Making decisions in the best interests of others -- Lasting powers of attorney -- Court of Protection, court appointed deputies, the Office of the Public Guardian and visitors -- Independent mental capacity advocates -- Advance decisions -- Research -- Protection of vulnerable adults and accountability -- Children and young persons -- Mental capacity and mental disorder -- Deprivation of liberty safeguards (DOLS) -- Organ and tissue removal, storage and use -- The informal carer -- Implementation, resources, and code of practice -- Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland -- The future.

This book is a practical guide to the Mental Capacity Act and its provisions since its conception in 2005, fully updated to take account of the many updates, developments and changes in legislation and guidance. Relevant for a wide range of practitioners and students.