Attempting to involve Freda in the decision about her feeding should be the first step.
Capacity is task specific and she may have sufficient understanding to decide on her feeding and be able to communicate this with appropriate assistance.
To determine capacity you need to know if Freda can:
- Understand the purpose of the feeding tube
- Understand that there are benefits and risks for her
- Retain the information or show consistency in her response
- Be able to communicate her decision in a reliable way
Taking time to present this information in different ways such as written, pictorial and with spoken explanation and then allowing her to make choices will help Freda determine her own care.
It has been determined that Freda does not have the capacity to make decisions. The MDT including the family have agreed to continue with NG feeding and are looking at ways to maintain the NG tube placement.
Page last reviewed: 23 Jul 2021
