Offender healthcare and the Mental Capacity Act: essential training

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 has proven to be one of the most far-reaching pieces of legislation affecting the provision of healthcare since coming into force in April 2007.

The Act is particularly relevant to prisons, where healthcare services are delivered against a background of mental health problems and/or drug and alcohol abuse, and where staff routinely face issues such as self-harm, refusal of treatment and medication and drug withdrawal.

It is essential that all staff involved in the delivery and management of healthcare to offenders understand their duties under the Act, and are able to deal with situations lawfully and effectively as they arise.

Hill Dickinson’s team of experienced lawyers provide specialist training on the practical application of the Act, focusing specifically on the issues that commonly arise when providing healthcare to offenders. Training lasts one hour, and covers all of the key aspects of the legislation relevant to day-to-day healthcare practice in the prison setting.

Course objectives
Delegates will:

• Understand the duties imposed by the Act on healthcare staff and managers
• Learn practical solutions to common issues
• Gain confidence by discussing mental capacity-related scenarios involving offenders

Who should attend?
The course has been designed for all those involved in the delivery of healthcare to offenders.

Course details
Programme:

• The five principles of the Mental Capacity Act
• Assessments of Capacity and Best Interests
• Advance Decisions to refuse treatment
• Case studies facilitating in-depth discussions to apply the principles of the Act to real life examples, such as self-harmers refusing treatment for their wounds, and hunger striking prisoners

Cost
£500 +VAT for a one hour session. This can be for as many delegates as you wish, and can be delivered at a venue of your choice.

Further information
For further details or to enquire about booking a training session, please contact Joanna Crichton by email or on +44 (0)151 600 8171.