GMC
GMC agrees with need of Mental Capacity Bill
By Ashwin, UK Correspondent
Oct 26, 2004 - 3:31:00 PM

The GMC agrees with the views expressed by many patient and professional organisations that there is a pressing need for legislation based on mental capacity bill. Similar legislation already exists in Scotland.

Matt Ball, Head of Public Affairs said �We support the aim of providing a clear legal framework to empower adults with impaired mental capacity to make as many of their own decisions as possible; to clarify the scope of decision-making power which can be exercised by doctors, relatives and others involved in providing care; and to ensure that there are safeguards in place to protect incapacitated adults when healthcare and other decisions are made on their behalf.�

In health care terms, the Bill sets out how treatment decisions should be approached and, if necessary, taken on behalf of those who lack the capacity to take the decision themselves. Many of the provisions in the Bill are based on legal and ethical principles which are well established in common law and current medical practice. For example, the principles set out in Clauses 1-4 are consistent with the standards we currently set for doctors.

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