The specific decision
The assessment identifies the exact decision in question and the information the person needs to understand in order to make that decision.
Mental Capacity Assessments
Mental capacity assessments for legal, family, care and professional decisions.
Health Private provides consultant-led mental capacity assessments where a person’s ability to make a specific decision needs careful psychiatric evaluation and clear professional reporting.
Assessment overview
When a mental capacity assessment may be needed.
Mental capacity assessments may be required when there is concern about whether a person can make a specific decision for themselves. The assessment focuses on the particular decision, the person’s understanding, and whether any mental disorder or impairment may affect decision-making.
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Decision-specific assessment: capacity is assessed in relation to a specific decision, rather than as a general judgement about the person.
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Professional psychiatric opinion: the assessment considers mental health, cognition, understanding, reasoning, communication and relevant background information.
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Clear reporting: where required, findings can be documented in a structured report for legal, family, professional or Court of Protection-related purposes.
What is considered
A careful assessment of the person, the decision and the context.
The assessment is usually based on the specific decision that needs to be made, the person’s mental health or cognitive presentation, and the information needed to make that decision.
Mental health and cognition
Consideration may be given to psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment, dementia, learning disability, brain injury or other relevant conditions.
Understanding and communication
The assessment considers whether the person can understand, retain, use or weigh information, and communicate their decision.
Relevant records
Medical records, care records, legal documents, previous assessments or professional reports may be reviewed where relevant.
Family and professional context
Where appropriate, the assessment may consider information from family members, carers, social workers, solicitors or other professionals.
Legal and report requirements
The report can address the relevant capacity question and explain the clinical reasoning in a clear, structured way.
Assessment process
How capacity assessment instructions are handled.
Capacity assessments often require careful preparation. It is helpful to explain the exact decision, the reason capacity is being questioned, any legal or professional context, and whether documents are available for review.
1
Send enquiry
Explain the decision to be assessed and why capacity is in question.
2
Review suitability
The enquiry is reviewed to confirm whether the assessment can be appropriately undertaken.
3
Gather information
Relevant documents, background history and professional instructions may be requested.
4
Assessment and report
The person is assessed and a structured report can be prepared where required.
Who may request assessment
Capacity assessment for families, professionals and legal matters.
Mental capacity assessment may be requested by families, solicitors, courts, healthcare teams, local authorities, care providers or other professionals where a decision-specific opinion is needed.
Solicitors and courts
For capacity-related legal questions, Court of Protection matters, litigation capacity, property and affairs, or health and welfare decisions.
Families and carers
For concerns about whether a loved one can make decisions about care, finances, residence, treatment or other important matters.
Healthcare professionals
For clinical questions involving consent to treatment, mental disorder, cognition, safeguarding or complex decision-making.
Local authorities and organisations
For formal assessment needs involving care planning, safeguarding, best interests, placement, support or legal processes.
Fees and quotes
Capacity assessment fees are quoted individually.
Mental capacity assessment fees vary depending on the decision to be assessed, the complexity of the matter, documents to review, assessment arrangements, travel requirements and report format.
Mental Capacity Assessment as per Court of Protection protocol
Please call for quote
Capacity assessment with written report
Please call for quote
Document review or complex instruction
Please call for quote
Important:
Mental capacity assessments are decision-specific and may require relevant background documents.
Health Private is not an emergency or crisis service. If there is immediate risk, call 999 or attend
the nearest A&E.