Explains your rights to consent to (or refuse) treatment, including what 'consent' means, when you can be treated without your consent, and how to make a complaint.
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If you have a mental health problem, your doctor may suggest certain kinds of treatment for you. In most situations, a healthcare professional can't lawfully treat you unless you agree to that treatment.
Health professionals must act in your best interests before taking certain steps that affect your care and treatment.
The Mental Capacity Act has a best interests checklist, which outlines what health professionals need to consider before taking an action or decision for you while you lack capacity.
See our pages on the Mental Capacity Act for more information.
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsThis information was published in March 2018.
This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.
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