HELPS Practice Evaluation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
(HELPS)Evaluating practices for mental capacity assessment
IRAS ID
350881
Contact name
Domenico Giacco
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Warwick
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
researchregistry9662, Research Registry
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
The study is part of a project funded by the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research Program. The projects aims at improving the assessment of mental capacity when urgent clinical decisions are required. Sometimes, health professionals must determine whether someone has the mental capacity to consent to a medical decision.
Previous research indicated that mental capacity assessments are in some cases not satisfactory. However, no studies have focused on direct observing practice and exploring experiences soon after the assessment. We believe this can help to improve the services.
The study evaluates the mental capacity assessment practices in the emergency and acute physical health services of four areas with different practices, ethnic composition and geographic locations. Researchers will observe assessment procedures and explore the opinions of clinicians, service users and carers to understand what characterises current practices and what enables and prevents their full adherence to the Mental Capacity Act, the Law requiring mental capacity assessment, and the quality standard defined in guidance and policies.
What we will learn from this project will improve the accuracy of the assessment of the mental capacity of patients with mental and physical health conditions and people with learning disabilities who are assessed under the Mental Capacity Act.
The analysis of data related to observations, interviews and case notes will allow us to understand what are the common pitfalls and best practices in the process of assessing capacity and reporting these assessments in the clinical notes. It will also inform future studies to develop and test practice changes.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0918
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion