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An ethical dilemma in the learning disability services: too much money

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Helen Matthews ,
Sheila Hollins ,
Jeanette Smith  and
Gwen Adshead
Helen Matthews
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE
Sheila Hollins
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE
Jeanette Smith
Affiliation:
Fromeside Clinic, Blackberry Hill, Bristol BS16 1ED
Gwen Adshead
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
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Abstract

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Learning disability services care for the needs of patients whose autonomy of thought and action is impaired by processes that often cannot be reversed. Their autonomy may also be limited by external influences such as carers' attitudes, both positive and negative. Others may therefore find themselves making decisions for such patients. The case presented in this paper illustrates how these factors can condemn a wealthy woman to a life of relative poverty, lacking in pleasures she could so easily afford, because she lacks competence in some areas of decision making. A possible solution is proposed.

Type
Original papers
Information
Psychiatric Bulletin , Volume 18 , Issue 5 , May 1994 , pp. 266 - 268
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1994

References

References

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Further reading

Bicknell, D.J.B. (1989) Consent and people with mental handicap. British Medical Journal, 1176–1177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Department of Health and Social Security (1971) Hospital Memorandum on Patients' Moneys.Google Scholar
Department of Health and Social Security (1993) Looking After Your Money in Hospital.Google Scholar
Law Commission (1993) Mentally Incapacitated Adults and Decision Making: medical treatment and research. A consultation paper. The Law Commission, 37–38 John Street, London WC1N 2BQ.Google Scholar
MENCAP (1989) Competency and Consent to Medical Treatment. Report of the Working Party on Legal Medical and Ethical Issues of Mental Handicap, Mencap.Google Scholar
National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts (1992) Other People's Money – guidance on the responsibilities of formal carers in the NHS.Google Scholar
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