#64 Mental Capacity: it’s decision specific not a binary concept with Dr Maggie Keeble

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr Maggie Keeble, a retired GP with a special interest in End of Life Care. Maggie spent the later part of her career working in care homes and during that time became involved in many Lasting Power of Attorney discussions. We have a great conversation and Maggie really breaks down the Mental Capacity Act in relation to making a Lasting Power of Attorney and explains how to assess capacity to make a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Key messages from guest

• Maggie talks about her experience helping people to make a Lasting Power of Attorney and in wrestling with the challenges of Lasting Power of Attorney

• Magie explains the principles of the 2005 Mental Capacity Act

• “Best Interests” means in the best interests of a person - legally best interests decisions means working out what someone would have wanted under the circumstances under which they find themselves. 

• When discussing capacity it must always be relating to a specific circumstance

• Cognition and capacity are explained as different things

• Maggie talks through the different understanding needed to create a Lasting Power of Attorney

Resource

• Access the Assessment of Mental Capacity a practical guide for Drs & Lawyers BMA & Law society book

• Read the Essex Chambers DETERMINING AND RECORDING BEST INTERESTS paper

• Find out about making an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment ADRT Compassion in Dying 

• Find out about the My Care Matters Buddy work  My Care Matters Buddy Service 

• Find out more about the MCA Code of Practice 

• Access the My Care Matters My Future Care Handbook 

• Access the 2005 Mental Capacity Act via 2005 MCA

Bio:

Maggie Keeble is a retired GP with an interest in End of Life and Palliative Care in Clinical Frailty and Dementia. Having been a partner in General Practice for 20yrs she left to concentrate on those specialist areas and ended her care very happily as a Care Home GP and Associate Lecturer at the University of Worcester. She connected with other GPs at a British Geriatrics Conference in 2015 and was a founder member of the BGS GeriGP group which has evolved into the Primary and Community Care Committee within the BGS. Now studying History of Art and travelling round the country in her motorhome, she continues to use her unusual skill set on a voluntary basis  as a My Future Care Buddy supporting people to navigate the advance care planning process.