You should assume that everyone has capacity to consent, until they demonstrate that they do not. The CURB mnemonic has been developed to support professionals to assess a patient’s capacity to consent.

C – Communicate. Can the person communicate their decision?

U – Understand. Can they understand the information you are giving them?

R – Retain. Can they retain the information given to them?

B – Balance. Can they balance or use the information?

Assessing a person’s capacity to consent to treatment is key if you are considering the covert administration of medicines.

For more information about mental capacity, try CPPE's module on The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and covert administration of medicines.

Practice points

• You might be asked questions on behalf of a person who has a learning disability. What can you do if the person who has a learning disability is not present?

Further information

• For more information and access to all the learning disabilities activities, visit: cppe.ac.uk/learningdisabilities.
• Access the CPPE learning disabilities e-challenge at:
• cppe.ac.uk/e-challenge

Now you've completed part two of this learning disabilities module, move onto part three:

Part three: Learning disabilities and physical health.