Written questions

Patients: Powers of Attorney

2026-05-28 · Department of Health and Social Care · 4389 · Official question

Shivani Raja

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on whether NHS trusts have refused to engage with the legal representative of a patient on the grounds of being unable to verify a power of attorney in person.

Answer

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983 and their respective statutory codes of practice lay out the guidance for National Health Service trusts regarding Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) and Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA), includin...