6. Consent and capacity All have a clear responsibility to ensure they understand their role in relation to situations where an individual service user exercises their right to refuse to take medication. Where a service user is assessed not to have mental capacity to make decisions in relation to medication, staff must also be clear about their responsibility to refer this to the team. Section 5 of the medication policy sets out the responsibilities of all staff in relation to issues of consent and capacity. If there is any need for further clarification the service manager must be involved immediately. General principles for all staff to be aware of: Service users who are capable of giving or withholding consent can refuse to take medication at any time. In these circumstances staff must not attempt to administer medication Giving and obtaining of consent is a process not an isolated service users may change their minds and withdraw consent at any time. Consequently, consent must be sought before any administration Capacity to consent may fluctuate and must therefore be assessed continually Covert administration of medication for service users who are capable of giving or withholding consent is NOT permitted under any circumstances People who have a mental disorder must be assessed to determine capacity to make decisions. It must never automatically be assumed that they are not able to give or withhold consent to take medication. PART TWO Approved procedures and practices for staff in learning disability day care services 1. Principles of Day Care Before attending a day care centre, service users must have a medication review, to assess the continuing need of their current medication, and if possible reduce any doses which may have to be given whilst in the day care centre. This will reduce the risk of errors and incidents occurring during transport, storage and administration. Service users must also be assessed for their level of need while they are in the day care centre, the level of need will include a full risk assessment of self medication if the service user wishes to undertake this. Before an individual is admitted for day care, the following information must be obtained:
6. Consent and capacity All have a clear responsibility to ensure they understand their role in relation to situations where an individual service user exercises their right to refuse to take medication. Where a service user is assessed not to have mental capacity to make decisions in relation to medication, staff must also be clear about their responsibility to refer this to the team. Section 5 of the medication policy sets out the responsibilities of all staff in relation to issues of consent and capacity. If there is any need for further clarification the service manager must be involved immediately. General principles for all staff to be aware of: Service users who are capable of giving or withholding consent can refuse to take medication at any time. In these circumstances staff must not attempt to administer medication Giving and obtaining of consent is a process not an isolated service users may change their minds and withdraw consent at any time. Consequently, consent must be sought before any administration Capacity to consent may fluctuate and must therefore be assessed continually Covert administration of medication for service users who are capable of giving or withholding consent is NOT permitted under any circumstances People who have a mental disorder must be assessed to determine capacity to make decisions. It must never automatically be assumed that they are not able to give or withhold consent to take medication. PART TWO Approved procedures and practices for staff in learning disability day care services 1. Principles of Day Care Before attending a day care centre, service users must have a medication review, to assess the continuing need of their current medication, and if possible reduce any doses which may have to be given whilst in the day care centre. This will reduce the risk of errors and incidents occurring during transport, storage and administration. Service users must also be assessed for their level of need while they are in the day care centre, the level of need will include a full risk assessment of self medication if the service user wishes to undertake this. Before an individual is admitted for day care, the following information must be obtained: