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Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi. ‘If it is used properly… it can only be of benefit to people’: early views of local Alzheimer's Society staff of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Outline of presentation. Background Research questions Recruitment & participants Findings Implications.
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Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi ‘If it is used properly… it can only be of benefit to people’: early views of local Alzheimer's Society staff of the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Outline of presentation • Background • Research questions • Recruitment & participants • Findings • Implications Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Background • Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 – implemented 2007 in England & Wales • MCA enables people to plan and make views known, should loss of capacity to make own decisions occur • Additional safeguards of new offences and requirements to abide by Code of Practice • Investment in rollout by Department of Health and locally Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Research questions • What is Alzheimer’s Societies’ staff understanding of the MCA? • Early experiences and expectations • What is their role in information, advice, advocacy and support? • How does the MCA affect their role? Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Recruitment & Participants • Range of AS groups in North London region • Confidentiality and anonymity assured • Qualitative interviews with 9 AS representatives conducted • 45 minutes – 1 hour Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Findings Four main themes identified: • Participants aware but varied knowledge • See MCA as enhancing rights • Concerns about cost and complexity • Information, some advice, less advocacy Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Varied knowledge • Different exposure and training • Thought they should be better than they were “I must say it was a bit dry and a bit difficult to concentrate, you know, obviously some of it stuck but not an awful lot I am afraid, ..both of my senior staff were supposed to go on training but one was sick on the day…” – AS1, branch manager Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
MCA enhances rights • of people with dementia & carers “I think it gives people choice…it allows people to make plans, It does help professionals to know what people want, it gives them an insight… Yes, it gives (carers) a little bit more security of what they are doing..” – AS8 development manager Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Cost and complexity • Related to Lasting Power of Attorney • Quick signposting to legal practitioners • Not aware of cost going down Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Information, some advice, less advocacy • Mainly around LPA, less around other features • Very little around safeguarding measures • More information than advice • Advocacy not developed • Little work with ‘hard to reach’ groups Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Implications • Recognise potential of MCA but uncertain • Limited engagement with local implementation networks • If initial training missed… what then? • Audit tools being developed by DH & SCIE – might be useful Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Dementia Congress Nov 2009
Thank you Jill Manthorpe & Kritika Samsi Jill.Manthorpe@kcl.ac.uk This study is funded by the NIHR see www.evidem.org.uk