What is a Best Interest Meeting?
Written by Hilary Cragg | Care Support Team | 13 May 2024
Decision-making on behalf of individuals lacking mental capacity requires legal frameworks that have been designed to safeguard their rights.
One such system is the Best Interest Meeting, which ensures that decisions are made in the individual's best interests.
What is a Best Interest Meeting?
Best Interest Meetings are formal gatherings designed to support decision-making on behalf of individuals who lack the capacity to make decisions themselves. These meetings are governed by the principles outlined in the Mental Capacity Act, which emphasise the importance of acting in the individual's best interests, considering their past and present wishes, feelings, beliefs, and values.
The primary purpose of a Best Interest Meeting is to ensure that decisions made for the individual lacking capacity align with their best interests. This includes decisions related to healthcare, welfare, financial matters, and other aspects of their lives. By bringing together key stakeholders, including family members, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and legal representatives, Best Interest Meetings provide a forum for collaborative decision-making, ensuring that all perspectives are considered.
You can read more articles about Best Interest Meetings here.
Who attends a Best Interest Meeting?
Participants in a Best Interest Meeting typically include:
Family members: Close relatives with a vested interest in the individual's well-being and may provide valuable insights into their preferences and wishes.
Caregivers: Professionals involved in the day-to-day care of the individual, such as healthcare workers, social workers, or support staff.
Healthcare professionals: Doctors, nurses, therapists, and other medical professionals can provide expert input on healthcare decisions.
Legal representatives: Lawyers can offer guidance on the legal aspects of decision-making and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
By collaborating effectively, participants work together to reach an agreement on decisions that promote the person’s well-being and quality of life.
Best Interest Meetings play a vital role in decision-making for people who lack capacity. By bringing together key stakeholders and ensuring decisions are made with the person’s best interests in mind, these meetings safeguard their rights, promote their welfare and provide peace of mind for the family.
Hilary Cragg, Best Interest Meeting solicitor, can provide legal representation for your family. To find out more, you can get in touch with her directly by calling 01752 827047 or emailing enquiries@nash.co.uk.
If you’re looking for representation at a Best Interest Meeting and you aren’t based in Plymouth or the surrounding areas, Hilary can still help. You can read Hilary’s article about how it is possible to receive remote representation here. You can also find more blogs about Best Interest meetings here.
