Press Release

Making Decisions Alliance welcomes code of practice consultation

Issue date: 9 March 2006

Commenting at the launch of the formal consultation on the Code of Practice that will accompany the Mental Capacity Act, Richard Kramer, Chair of the Making Decisions Alliance and Turning Point Director of Policy said:

“The Making Decisions Alliance welcomes this formal consultation on the Code of Practice. The 40 charities that make up the Making Decisions Alliance campaigned strongly for new mental capacity legislation to empower people to make their own decisions and to provide fuller protection of their rights.

“The Code of Practice must ensure that those directly affected by the Act as well as those working in health and social care fully understand their respective rights and obligations under the Act.

“The Code of Practice must also be accompanied by additional measures to bring about a change of attitude and approach towards a person’s right to make their own decisions. It must be underpinned by comprehensive training for health and social care professionals to promote the proper understanding of the legislation and information for specific groups, such as doctors and informal carers.”

Hazel Morgan, Co-Director of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities said:

"We welcome the emphasis in the Code of Practice on addressing individual communication needs to ensure that people with learning disabilities can make their own decisions as far as possible - and even if they are assessed as lacking capacity for a particular decision, that they should be involved."

Sue Brown, Head of Campaigns & Public Policy for Sense, the UK's leading organisation for children and adults who are deafblind, said:

“I am pleased that the government has published a separate an easy-to-read information guide that is clear and accessible as it shows a real commitment to drawing up policy with people directly affected by this Act. The Code of Practice is key to bringing the concepts new mental capacity legislation to life and in changing the way people with learning disabilities; mental health problems and older people are perceived. We must all work to make sure it fulfils that role.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

For more information, please contact the press office team on 020 7553 5220 or email press@turning-point.co.uk

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