Mental Capacity Matters with Alex Ruck Keene

In this ‘in conversation’ with, I talk to Professor Beverley Clough and Dr Laura Pritchard-Jones about the edited collection that they have recently pulled together on Mental Capacity Law, Sexual Relationships and Intimacy. We talk about the background to the book, including the JB case, and the different perspectives that it brings to the – possibly? – intractable problems that are encountered when the law reaches into the bedroom.

For the original video, see here: Mental capacity law, sexual relationships and intimacy – in conversation with Beverley Clough and Laura Pritchard-Jones – Mental Capacity Law and Policy

In this 'in conversation' with, I talk to Dr Victoria Bradley, Clinical Lead for and Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, about choices in palliative care, honesty in discussions and the allocation of responsibilities between doctors and patients (and attorneys).

For the original video, see here: Palliative care, choices and honesty – in conversation with Dr Victoria Bradley – Mental Capacity Law and Policy

The Law Commission published its consultation paper on disabled children's social care on 8 October.  I am a consultant to the project.  

In addition to the various other ways in which to get yourself up to speed with the consultation, I have recorded a walkthrough.

The original video walkthrough is here: Disabled children’s social care law in England – the Law Commission consults – Mental Capacity Law and Policy

In this ‘in conversation’ with, I talk to Hillary Chua of the National University of Singapore about a recent article in the Medical Law Review that she has co-authored with Camillia Kong and Michael Dunn, looking at how essentially identical mental capacity legislation in Singapore and England & Wales has had very different lives in both jurisdictions. We also think about different jurisdictions can learn from each other, for instance in how to approach capacity and in context and the interaction between cognitive impairment and undue influence.

For the original video, see here: Two lives of a Mental Capacity Act – in conversation with Hillary Chua – Mental Capacity Law and Policy

In this ‘in conversation with’, I talk to Dr Harleen Kaur Johal, a doctor and PhD candidate, about her research as part of the BABEL project into conflict in the ICU. We discuss her interviews with patients, their family members / representatives and clinicians, and think about some of the ways in which conflicts can arise, how they can be managed, and issues which can arise when people seek to avoid conflict.

For the original video, see here: Conflict (and conflict avoidance) in the ICU – in conversation with Dr Harleen Kaur Johal – Mental Capacity Law and Policy

In this 'in conversation with', I talk to the very recently retired police officer, Michael Brown - the Mental Health Cop, about the police, the MCA 2005, the red herring of 'capacity to commit criminal offences,' and the complexities of emergency situat

In this 'in conversation' with Professor Rosie Harding, we talk about the Co-Producing Accessible Legal Information (COALITION) Project, which has recently published its concluding report (and accompanying Easy Read version). We talk both about how to conduct co-produced research, the barriers to accessing justice for those with learning disabilities, and how lawyers can help begin to play their part. 

For the original video, see here.

In this ‘in conversation’ with, I talk to Professor Michael Preston-Shoot about the second national analysis of safeguarding adults reviews he recently led with Professor Suzy Braye. We talk about the background and context, and he draws out some of the key themes, before we conclude with asking whether SARs actually achieve anything.

The three reports coming from the analysis can be found here:

Stage 1: Case characteristics; nature of the abuse and neglect; SAR reviewing process

Stage 2: Analysis of learning

Stage 3: Conclusions and improvement priorities

The Safe Care at Home Review Michael talks about can be found here.

As Michael mentioned, he is happy to be contacted for further details of the work or its implications. His email address is [email protected].

The video of our discussion can be found here.

In this ‘in conversation with’, I talk to Jacob Jorem, a Norwegian psychiatrist, lawyer and researcher, about the Norwegian experience introducing decision-making capacity into (at least part of) mental health law, why the result of a process designed to reduced coercion was a very significant increase in the number of involuntary orders made, and how to assess why and how legal changes impact on practice.

Two articles explaining the Norwegian experience can be found here.

Impact of introducing capacity-based mental health legislation on the use of community treatment orders in Norway: case registry study

Increased autonomy with capacity-based mental health legislation in Norway: a qualitative study of patient experiences of having come off a community treatment order

I will also update the page when the fruits of the fascinating research Jacob is currently conducting into the Norwegian experience are published.

For the original video, see here: https://www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk/decision-making-capacity-and-mental-health-law-the-norwegian-experience-in-conversation-with-jacob-jorem/

In this “in conversation with”, I talk to Dr Jim Down about a whole host of matters related to intensive care, inspired by his recent book, Life in the Balance. We cover the realities of being in ICU, the interaction between law and ethics, and get into a discussion about the need for honesty about resource allocation (including touching on this paper about deliberative democracy and triage).

For the original video, see here.