HELPS_WP3 Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High-quality mental capacity assessments for hEalthcare decisions: improving Leadership, assessment Procedures, and service user Support. Work Package 3: co-designing practice changes
IRAS ID
356116
Contact name
Domenico Giacco
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 27 days
Research summary
HELPS_WP3 study looks at how what is known as ‘mental capacity’ is assessed within the healthcare system.
Studies show around one in three service users in acute physical healthcare settings, and a little less than half of service users in acute mental health care settings do not have what is known as the mental capacity to take part in and consent to decisions about their health or care.
In England and Wales, the legal framework for the assessment of mental capacity is the Mental Capacity Act, 2005.
Studies also show people with acute mental health and physical health problems and those with learning disabilities are at higher risk of unsatisfactory mental capacity assessment practices occurring in their care.
The aim of HELPS_WP3 is to improve mental capacity assessment practices by bringing together service users, their carers, the healthcare professionals that carry out mental capacity assessments and their managers in a series of workshops to come up with solutions to improve mental capacity assessment practices.
In each of four areas of the North of England, the Midlands, London and the South-East and Wales, a series of four workshops will be held with participants from the backgrounds described coming together to find solutions.
Then, participants from the different areas will come together in a series of three national workshops with policymakers to look at larger scale solutions built on earlier insights.
The findings of HELPS_WP3 will be used to inform published academic research, improve NHS policies and training, create national recommendations and develop publicly accessible materials and online learning.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0121
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion