Consent Conference Success

Leading scholars and practitioners from across the health and social care professions gathered at Edge Hill for a national conference on consent law.

'In Whose Best Interest?? ? a debate on consent law and decision-making ? was the first event of its kind organised by the Faculty of Health and was attended by 140 representatives from local and national health and social care providers.

The conference brought together three nationally acclaimed speakers ? Richard Bradshaw from the Department of Health, Senior Legal Advocate Peter Edwards and Barrister-at-Law Bridget Dimond ? who offered perspectives on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the many complexities that exist when obtaining a legally valid consent to treatment.

Edge Hill CPD Mental Health lecturer Steve Jones, who organised the event alongside Barry Williams, said: "The Act gives more rights to patients who refuse treatments for whatever reason ? be it down to religious beliefs or a deterioration in quality of life for example.

"However, it does also strengthen the position of the health or social care professional who, in legal terms, is on equal ground with the patient ? so long as they ensure that the law on consent underpins their decision making.

"A significant number of those in attendance were unaware of the potential consequences that the Act will have on their practice. As such, the conference was a really useful vehicle to get key messages across and increase awareness of the challenges faced by staff working in hospital and community care settings."

Across the sector there are professional uncertainties and misunderstandings within the law as it applies to consent, however the overriding message from the conference was ? enhance understanding of legal principles in order to ensure defensible judgements are achieved.

Steve added: "Such was the success of the conference, which achieved 100% satisfaction based on questionnaires returned, the Faculty of Health plan to stage a similar event next year.

"A special thank you must go to all involved and we look forward to making preparations for the 2006 event."

Picture: Guest speakers (l-r) Peter Edwards, Bridget Dimond and Richard Bradshaw.