Capacity Toolkit

Checklist Overview

Introduction Purpose Guidance (not legal advice) Definition of capacity Legal test for capacity

Key Practice Points Presumption of capacity Capacity is decision/time specific Assess the ability NOT the decision Supported decision making Substitute decision making Tikanga Māori & cultural diversity Form of assessment Who should carry out assessments

Capacity Assesment Overview Preparing Assesment Interview After the Interview

The Legal Framework Overview Mental capacity law Relevant legal test PPPR Act : capacity thresholds Activating EPOAs Making EPOAs HDC Code: capacity to consent to treatment Right 7(4) of the HDC Code Capacity to make a Will Refusal to undergo assessment

Useful Resources Legal resources Education videos Cultural competence International guides to assessment Authors & Acknowledgments

INTERNATIONAL GUIDES TO ASSESSMENT

England and Wales

39 Essex Street: “Mental Capacity Act: A brief guide to carrying out capacity assessments” (2019) https://www.39essex.com/mental-capacity-guidance-note-brief-guide-carrying-capacity-assessments/

Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice (TSO, London, 2007, update 2019) - Chapter 4 “How does the Act define a person’s capacity to make a decision and how should capacity be assessed”
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/497253/Mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice.pdf

Australia

Capacity Australia: “Capacity Mini-legal Kits” for use by health care professionals in assessing decision-making capacity.
https://capacityaustralia.org.au/resources/mini-legal-kits/

NSW Capacity Toolkit
http://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/diversityservices/Documents/capacity_toolkit0609.pdf