Research That Involves Adults Who Lack Capacity To Give Their Consent.

The implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2006 brings changes to research co-ordination and governance.

The Act provides new safeguards for adults who cannot give or renew their consent to be involved in research projects.

Recent guidance has begun developing a framework for the handling of applications for research that fall into this category. The Isle of Wight Council will be working closely with NHS colleagues to ensure that applications are dealt with as effectively as possible, particularly during the early implementation period.

It would be wise to consider ensuring a longer planning and preparation period to your project if you think that it will trigger the terms of the new Act.

National Patient Safety Agency guidance sets out the proposed framework for applications received before and after 1st October 2007. We have set up a link to the guidance, which can be found here.

The Department of Health has also set out guidance on the role of consultees who are required to represent the views of people who lack capacity to consent who are invited to participate in research projects. We have set up a link to the guidance, which can be found here.

These links will be updated to ensure that current guidance is available.