Improving mental capacity assessments for urgent healthcare decisions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High-quality mental capacity assessments for hEalthcare decisions: improving Leadership, assessment Procedures, and service user Support (HELPS)
IRAS ID
327265
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
What led to this research?
Studies have found that mental capacity assessments are practised unsatisfactorily. This can be due to a lack of adequate professional training, not enough time to prepare for assessments, or a lack of necessary support for patients. Finally, professionals often do not feel well-supported within clinical teams and find it challenging to collaborate with other professionals.
What will we study?
How the setup of the organisations (organisational factors) affects the way mental capacity assessments are conducted. In a previous study, we explored how service leaders apply policy and guidance across England and Wales (work package 1). The currently proposed research will explore how mental capacity assessments are conducted in the services (work package 2) and what stakeholders think to find solutions (work package 3).
How will we study this?
The project will be carried out at four sites (North, Midlands, Southeast, and Southwest) across England and Wales. We will involve the public with lived experience to discuss findings obtained through observations of how mental capacity is assessed, one-to-one interviews with carers, service users and clinicians, and workshops between stakeholders and other experts in mental health.
What will the study lead to?
We will share our learning with patients and carers and their associations, leaders in the NHS, social care and voluntary sectors, and scientific audiences. Participants will be supported in identifying improvements to practice and services, developing plans to deliver them, and refining the plans once they have been tested. Finally, attendees to the in-site workshops will be invited to three cross-national workshops where the entire focus will be on drawing and learning together.
How will we share our results?
We will produce scientific, easy-to-read publications and audiovisual materials to help professionals improve mental capacity assessment and better support service users.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0778
Date of REC Opinion
24 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion