The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance and support for staff to protect adults at risk of abuse who are receiving care in our hospitals and departments. This includes guidance on what to do when a patient lacks mental capacity (Mental Capacity Act), is being deprived of liberty in hospital (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards), or is at risk of radicalisation (Prevent Strategy).

This policy has arisen from the implementation of the MCA 2005 and seeks to give advice and guidance on how and when an assessment of mental capacity should be carried out. It draws a distinction between routine/ongoing assessments of capacity, which is a part of everyday care, and more exceptional occasions, when a formal assessment is necessary. In the latter case a formal, documented assessment is now required by the Trust in defined instances.