GPs are often asked to make Mental Capacity Assessments for patients. These assessments can be requested for a variety of different reasons.
As GPs it is an essential part of our role that we are able to perform capacity assessments which relate to decisions regarding medical investigations, treatment and care.
However, capacity assessments relating to overall welfare, finances and property are more complex and outside our expertise.
It’s essential that adequate time and attention is dedicated to these assessments. Those carrying out these assessments for legal purposes must be appropriately trained and experienced in this area.
Legal capacity assessments do not fall within the NHS duties of GPs or Psychiatrists. We recommend that such assessments are conducted on a private basis by a Consultant Psychiatrist.
We realise that this may cause some inconvenience, but our priority must be to our core NHS duties.
