HELPS
High-quality mental capacity assessments for healthcare decisions: improving leadership, assessment procedures and service user support (HELPS).
The HELPS study looks at what is known as ‘mental capacity’ is assessed within the healthcare system.
Research has shown that 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 formal assessment of mental capacity is outlined in the Mental Capacity Act, 2005.
The Mental Capacity Act has a Code of Practice. This sets out standards that those who carry out assessments should follow.
The Code of Practice says that assessments should be criteria-focused, evidence-based, person-centred and non-judgmental.
Adults should be presumed to have capacity. They should be provided with support to make their own decisions. They should also be allowed to make an unwise decision if they have the capacity to do so.
Studies have shown that 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
The aim of HELPS is to improve mental capacity assessment.
Studies have shown areas where improvements to mental capacity assessment could be made
However, making things better might be complex because improvements might need to occur at several levels
THE STAGES OF HELPS
BENEFITS AND OUTCOMES
The goals of HELPS include improving the understanding of mental capacity and the issues surrounding it more broadly; and informing service users and carers about what best practice would look like in terms of mental capacity assessment.
HELPS involves workshops, the creation of informative materials and organised events.
These workshops and events bring professionals, commissioners and service managers together to plan improvements and share best practices regarding decision-making tools, guidance, training resources, and organisational changes, including job plans and clinical team structure.