Transcript Findings from Evidem (ppt, 520 KB)









EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk
“It helps us to give people something
concrete that they can work with”:
Early views of local Alzheimer's Society
staff of the
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Jill Manthorpe
Kritika Samsi
King’s College London
EviDEM Mental Capacity Act study
Outline of presentation





Background
Research questions
Recruitment & participants
Findings
Implications
Jill Manthorpe and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)








EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk








EVIDEM
Background




www.evidem.org.uk
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 and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)
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 and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)








EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk
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 and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)








EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk








EVIDEM
Findings
www.evidem.org.uk
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 and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)
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 and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)








EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk
MCA enhances rights










EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk
Of people with dementia to specify preferences and plans
in advance
Carers’ role was more clarified as the decision-maker of
choices with the best interest of their relative at heart
“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… And it gives (carers) a little bit more security of what they
are doing..” – AS8, Development manager
Jill Manthorpe and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)
Cost and complexity












EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk
Related to Lasting Power of Attorney
Complexity meant not always able to assist them anymore
Signposting to legal practitioners common
Not aware of cost going down
“Problems with solicitors, the Lasting Power of Attorney forms require a lot
more information than the old Enduring Power of Attorney did and
certification and everything else, and so a lot of solicitors are now doing it.
Locally we are finding very few people who we can signpost to. The charges
have gone up” – AS9, Manager
Jill Manthorpe and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)
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 and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)








EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk








EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk
“Local care managers are just not able to get a grip of
the Act; lots are agency workers and do have a lot of
paperwork to do – they can perceive our advocates as
aggressive, [I] don’t mind because I know they are
doing their job” – AS9, Manager
Jill Manthorpe and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)








EVIDEM
Implications





www.evidem.org.uk
Recognise potential of MCA but uncertain
Limited engagement with local implementation
networks
If initial training missed… what then?
Need for regular updating on training of MCA – eg.
cost decreasing with greater use
Audit tools being developed by DH & SCIE – might be
useful
Jill Manthorpe and Kritika Samsi
EviDEM MCA study (2007 - 2012)








EVIDEM
www.evidem.org.uk
Thank you
Further information: [email protected]
This study is funded by the NIHR see www.evidem.org.uk