On this day I learned about Communication, Consent, and Mental Capacity. The lesson started with a class discussion about people with communication difficulties and their impact on us during practice. Communication difficulties become a barrier and make it challenging to interpret and understand the intentions and actions of others. Types of communication barriers are physical, emotional, and language. Stroke and some people with learning disabilities, such as autism, do have communication difficulties. We also shared our experiences working with such people. I shared my experience as to how, when working with children with learning disabilities, some children communicate with the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Makaton. I also talked about how stroke patients struggle to speak due to their sickness, making them have slurred speech. They sometimes have to write their needs on paper, and it is complicated for them to accept the idea that they used to talk very well but, due to illness, are not able to communicate. There was a group discussion about the importance of consent. Afterward, the whole class shared what was discussed in the group. Consent is essential in healthcare for reasons such as empowering and involving patients in their care, bringing about patient care, serving as legal protection for both the patient and staff, giving patients choices, ensuring patients know the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure, and agreeing to what is about to take place. Subsequently, before consent takes place, professionals must ensure that the method has been explained to both the patient and their family for understanding and the advantages and disadvantages.

We discussed the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). It is a legal framework for acting and making decisions on behalf of adults who cannot make a particular decision for themselves. Mental capacity can be assessed in these two stages of the test. Firstly, does the person have an impairment of their mind or brain, whether as a result of an illness or external factors such as alcohol or drug use? Secondly, does the impairment mean the person can not make a specific decision when they need to? People can lack the capacity to make some decisions but can make others. Mental capacity can also fluctuate with time-someone may lack capacity at one point in time, but may be able to make the same decision later. The MCA says a person can not decide if not able to do one or more of the following: not understanding the information relevant to the decision, retaining that information for long enough to make the decision, using or weighing up that information as part of making the decision, and communicating their decision in any way. MCA assumes everyone can decide for themselves unless proven otherwise. The multi-disciplinary team also acts in the best interests of the patient when there is no advocate for him. The class later had group scenarios, which was later discussed among the whole class.

I learned about the different communication difficulties at work and how to deal with these challenges. I also learned about the importance of consent in healthcare. I learned about what MCA is and how and when to use it.

I can confidently deal with communication difficulties at work under supervision. I would seek consent with an explanation before any procedure. I would follow the MCA at work when needed, under supervision and support.

This is relevant to the NMC Code (2018), prioritises people and practices effectively. Patients’ interests should always be put first when caring for them. It is of great importance to communicate clearly and effectively. Communication should meet people’s language and communication needs.