2.1 Who else is affected?

Alongside people who may lack mental capacity are those who are affected indirectly: people who live with and care for them, neighbours, and workers in shops, banks and solicitors’ offices. They all need to be aware of the impact that a lack of mental capacity can have. As well as family and friends who offer informal care and support, some people have a formal role in responding. Who are they?

Activity 5 Formal support

Timing: Allow about 5 minutes

Take a look at the images in Figure 2. Who might they represent and why might they need to respond to a lack of mental capacity? Write your response in the box below.

Figure 2 Healthcare professionals in various settings

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Comment

Professional people in many different roles need to understand what is meant by mental capacity. These include:

• staff in adult community care services
• hospital workers
• health visitors
• occupational therapists
• criminal justice workers
• people working with children
• general practitioners
• solicitors.

Some of these professionals have a role in the assessment of mental capacity to which you will return in Week 4.

You now conclude Week 1 by exploring the importance and impact of time.