Consent for Treatment and Clinical Procedures

1. Mental Capacity of a person is about the ability to

a. Understand information about a particular decision b. Remember that information long enough to make the decision c. Weigh up the information to make the decision d. Communicate their decision.

2. Capacity to Consent by the patient is determined finally by the Consultant Psychiatrist.

3. A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision unless all practicable steps to help him/her do so have been taken without success.

 A person must be assumed to have a capacity unless proven otherwise.  Whenever possible, help the patient to make their own decisions.  Do not treat a person as lacking capacity just because they make unwise decisions.  If a doctor makes a decision for someone who does not have the capacity, it should be for the best

Interest of the patient.  Treatment and care provided to someone who lacks capacity should be the least restrictive of their basic rights and freedom.

4. Remember to the attend to the following; Helping people make their own decision, Finding least restrictive option, Minimum Deprivation of liberty

5. Always refer to the guidance issued from the Sri Lanka Medical Council and the Ministry of Health.

6. In a situation where the patient admitted at NIMH is not having the capacity to give consent for a procedure or intervention this consent should be documented in a dual system where the

Recommendation of the treating Consultant Psychiatrist and the Authorization of the Director or

Deputy Director is given.