Guidance for adult community services staff on the Mental Capacity Act 2005

The aim of this guidance on the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care Institute for Excellence, is to provide healthcare practitioners in the community with a greater understanding of the new law covering mental capacity. The subjects covered in the guidance are those which community practitioners are most likely to encounter as part of their working lives. The author stresses that the Code of Practice that accompanies the Act should always be available to practitioners as the principle source of reference. The guidance given incorporates checklists and case studies which can be used to enhance understanding of the Act and Code.