Miryam is in her eighties and lives in a care home. She has Alzheimer’s Disease. She was referred to POhWER for advocacy support to ensure that her views and wishes were taken into consideration when a decision was being made about treatment to prevent macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is an eye condition which affects the centre of a person’s vision.

Linda was assigned to support Miryam as her Independent Mental Capacity Advocate. Miryam’s Doctor proposed that she should receive treatment by injections in her left eye to prevent macular degeneration. Her doctor felt that this procedure was in Miryam’s best interests. Miryam had been assessed as lacking the capacity to give her consent to have this treatment. As her advocate, Linda aimed to gather Miryam’s views and wishes about this to so her doctor could include Miryam’s views when making the decision.

Linda took time to sit with Miryam and explain the proposed treatment and the risks associated with it. She explained why Miryam’s doctor felt the procedure would be beneficial to her in the long term. Linda also explained to Miryam her rights when someone else has authority to make the decision on her behalf as a best interest decision. Miryam was then given the opportunity to ask both her advocate and doctor questions about the proposed treatment.

This empowered Miryam to speak openly and honestly about her thoughts about the treatment. Miryam’s view was that she would like to have the treatment, and she demonstrated that she understood what the treatment involved. Linda documented Miryam’s views and wishes.  

Linda wrote a report outlining Miryam’s views which she sent to Miryam’s Doctor. In her report, Linda also suggested that Miryam’s capacity to consent to this treatment should be reassessed.

Miryam was grateful to Linda who had taken the time to explain the procedure and make her aware of her rights.