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Legal Terms - capable patient, or competent patient
a patient who is able to give their mental approval for medical care. According to section 3(1) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, a competent patient is one who can make decisions for themselves, meaning that they can comprehend and remember pertinent information, consider it while making decisions, and communicate their decisions. It is important to distinguish between a patient who is competent and one who is *incompetent*. Consent is necessary before treating the former, but not the latter. A competent patient has the right to decline any medical intervention, including therapy that could save his life, and his wishes must be honored. The Ability of the Mind
Act states that unless there is evidence to the contrary, a medical professional should presume that a patient is competent. According to Re C (Adult: Refusal of Treatment) [1994] 1 FLR 31 and Re B (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [2002] EWHC 429 (Fam), a person should not be treated as incompetent simply because he makes a poor decision.
a patient who is able to give their mental approval for medical care. According to section 3(1) of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, a competent patient is one who can make decisions for themselves, meaning that they can comprehend and remember pertinent information, consider it while making decisions, and communicate their decisions. It is important to distinguish between a patient who is competent and one who is *incompetent*. Consent is necessary before treating the former, but not the latter. A competent patient has the right to decline any medical intervention, including therapy that could save his life, and his wishes must be honored. The Ability of the Mind
Act states that unless there is evidence to the contrary, a medical professional should presume that a patient is competent. According to Re C (Adult: Refusal of Treatment) [1994] 1 FLR 31 and Re B (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [2002] EWHC 429 (Fam), a person should not be treated as incompetent simply because he makes a poor decision.
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