Consent and Capacity
Core consent principles and Mental Capacity Act 2005 decision-making for practice in England and Wales, including emergencies and younger patients.
Try a few cards
Showing 5 of 12 cards. Tap a card to flip, then download the app for the full deck.
View all 5 preview cards as a list
- Q1 What three features are required for valid consent to healthcare?
- Hint: Think freedom, information and decision-making ability.
- A Consent must be voluntary, informed and given by a person with capacity for that decision.
- Q2 In what forms may a patient communicate consent?
- Hint: A signature is not the only way to agree.
- A Verbally, in writing or through clear non-verbal behaviour.
- Q3 Can a person with capacity withdraw consent after initially agreeing?
- Hint: Consent is an ongoing choice, not an irrevocable contract.
- A Yes. Before the intervention, a person with capacity may withdraw consent.
- Q4 Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in England and Wales, what is the starting assumption about an adult's capacity?
- Hint: Capacity is presumed, not earned.
- A Assume the person has capacity unless lack of capacity is established.
- Q5 Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in England and Wales, why is capacity assessed for a particular decision and time?
- Hint: Capacity is not a permanent all-or-nothing label.
- A Because capacity varies between decisions and may change as impairment fluctuates.
About this deck
Consent and Capacity is a 12-card flashcard deck covering clinical for paramedic clinical revision. Core consent principles and Mental Capacity Act 2005 decision-making for practice in England and Wales, including emergencies and younger patients.
This deck is part of the official SnapMedic flashcard library, written and maintained by working UK paramedics for student paramedics, newly qualified paramedics (NQPs), and experienced clinicians. All cards work offline once downloaded and use spaced repetition to move information into long-term memory.
Last updated 13 August 2026.
More Clinical decks
Adult Basic Life Support
By SnapMedic
Recognition of adult cardiac arrest, high-quality CPR and safe AED use based on Resuscitation Council UK 2025 guidance.
Anaphylaxis
By SnapMedic
Recognition and emergency care principles for suspected anaphylaxis in adults and children.
Asthma and Respiratory Assessment
By SnapMedic
Recognition, assessment and initial care principles for acute asthma and respiratory deterioration.
Birth and the Newborn
By SnapMedic
Recognition and supportive care for imminent birth, initial newborn assessment and basic newborn life support priorities.