Chapter 3 Key facts checklists

Consent is a necessary precondition for treatment of competent adults.
Adults with capacity can refuse even life-saving medical treatment.
Adults with capacity may make advance decisions to refuse treatment at a future time when they lack capacity.
Adults who lack capacity are given treatment in their best interests.
Children over the age of 16 are rebuttably presumed to be competent to decide.
A Gillick-competent child may give consent.
Refusal of treatment by a Gillick-competent child may be overridden.