The role of independent mental capacity advocates

The Code of Practice for the Mental Capacity Act 2005 states that those working with vulnerable people must be able to demonstrate that they comply with the code. Or, as I am fond of pointing out, they may one day have to explain to the coroner why they did not. The busy doctor or nurse can be forgiven for thinking that the Mental Capacity Act is yet another administrative burden to be grudgingly borne, but it is not. In my opinion, it is the best defence for vulnerable people, and for clinicians, since the Human Rights Act.