This page is a printable version of: https://www.iow.nhs.uk/our-services/mental-health-services/mental-capacity-act/mental-capacity-act.htm
Date: 02 June 2023
Mental Health Act & Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act is a law which came into force in 2007. It covers all sorts of decisions where people aged 16 and over may lack capacity. It also allows for people to plan ahead in case they may lack capacity in the future.
The Mental Capacity Act allows somebody to make decisions for a service user, if they are not able to make decisions for themselves.
Everyone working with and/or caring for an adult who may lack capacity to make specific decisions must comply with this Act when making decisions or acting for that person, when the person lacks the capacity to make a particular decision for themselves. The same rules apply whether the decisions are life-changing events or everyday matters.
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