The Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act controls how health and social care staff work with people who may be unable to make some decisions about their care and treatment. This may be because of a temporary or permanent impairment, for example, it may affect people with dementia, learning disabilities, brain injury or who have suffered a stroke.
It includes provision for a person to appoint someone else to make decisions for them (power of attorney) or to make decisions in advance (living wills), for a time when they are no longer able to make their own decisions about their health or welfare.
More information about the Mental Capacity Act can be obtained from the Direct Gov website. It includes information about the act and how to appoint a power of attorney.
Mental Capacity Act summary [100KB]