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Capacity Assessment
Expert Psychiatric Evaluation of Mental Capacity
Harley Street Mental Health offers specialist capacity assessments to determine whether an individual is able to make informed decisions about specific aspects of their life. These assessments are carried out in line with the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and are often required for legal, medical, or financial purposes.
What is a
Capacity Assessment?
A capacity assessment evaluates a person’s ability to understand, retain, and weigh up information in order to make a decision, and to communicate that decision clearly. Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific, meaning a person may have capacity to make some decisions but not others, or their ability may fluctuate over time.
We provide assessments for a wide range of decision-making scenarios, including:
- Consenting to medical treatment or psychiatric care
- Managing finances or property
- Making a Will (Testamentary Capacity)
- Making decisions around residence or care arrangements
- Litigation capacity (for instructing a solicitor or taking part in court proceedings)
Our Approach
Our assessments are conducted with sensitivity, discretion, and a clear focus on the individual’s best interests. We provide:
- A thorough clinical evaluation based on legal criteria
- A clearly written, medico-legal report suitable for court, solicitors, or local authorities
- A fast turnaround where required, including urgent appointments
Who We Work With
We frequently carry out capacity assessments for:
- Solicitors and legal professionals
- NHS and private healthcare providers
- Local authorities and social services
- Families or individuals seeking clarity and documentation
Book your assessment today
To schedule a capacity assessment or speak with our team about your requirements, please contact us via Email contact@hsmh.co.uk for a quote or fill up the form below:
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our team is here to help. Contact us for personalized guidance.
A private capacity assessment at Harley Street Mental Health involves an independent, expert evaluation of an individual’s ability to make specific decisions. Conducted by experienced consultant psychiatrists, our assessments help determine whether someone has the mental capacity to manage finances, consent to medical treatment, create a will, litigate, or make other significant life decisions, following the standards set by the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
All capacity assessments at Harley Street Mental Health are conducted by consultant psychiatrists with expertise in mental health, cognitive functioning, and medico-legal reporting. Our psychiatrists are GMC-registered and trained to provide clear, court-compliant reports that are impartial, thorough, and legally robust.
You may need a capacity assessment if there are concerns about an individual’s ability to:
- Make financial decisions
- Consent to medical treatment or care plans
- Create or amend a will (Testamentary Capacity)
- Enter into legal agreements
- Engage in litigation (Litigation Capacity)
- Choose living arrangements or manage daily affairs
We provide capacity assessments for private individuals, solicitors, deputies, attorneys, and courts.
Yes. Our capacity assessments are fully compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its associated Code of Practice. They are routinely accepted by courts, solicitors, local authorities, and NHS services. Our reports are clear, structured, and provide the necessary evidence to support or contest decisions relating to capacity.
During the assessment, your psychiatrist will conduct a structured interview and mental state examination, exploring the specific decision the individual needs to make. They will assess understanding, retention, weighing of information, and ability to communicate a decision , the four key criteria under the Mental Capacity Act. The process is conducted with the utmost sensitivity, respect, and focus on empowering the individual wherever possible.
If you are arranging a capacity assessment, we recommend providing any relevant background information, such as medical records, previous psychiatric assessments, or legal documents. Completing any pre-assessment questionnaires we send will also help ensure the psychiatrist has a full understanding of the situation.
If you are attending the assessment yourself, you don’t need to prepare formally , our psychiatrist will guide you through the process gently and clearly.
Yes. Our psychiatrists are experienced in conducting testamentary capacity assessments in line with the Banks v Goodfellow legal test, ensuring that individuals understand the nature and consequences of making a will, the extent of their estate, and any claims upon it. We provide clear, court-ready reports that can support the validity of a will or assist solicitors in complex cases.
Yes. We provide litigation capacity assessments to determine whether an individual has the mental capacity to instruct a solicitor and conduct legal proceedings. We also provide reports for the Court of Protection, supporting applications for deputyship, welfare decisions, or contested matters around health and finance.
All capacity assessments are conducted according to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, its Code of Practice, and where relevant, additional legal tests such as Banks v Goodfellow (for testamentary capacity). Our assessments are independent, impartial, and fully aligned with the latest legal and clinical standards.
We offer fast access to private capacity assessments, often scheduling appointments within a few days of instruction. We also accommodate urgent capacity assessments for time-sensitive legal cases when required.
What makes you different to other clinics?
We hand pick all of our clinicians to ensure that they have the same values as us.
This ensures that our service users are actually listened to and are the heart of our treatment plans.
We recognise that diagnosis and treatment plans cannot simply be “one size fits all” and our personalised down to earth approach aims to keep the process as easy as possible.
We will try to keep your costs low where possible. Once you are on the right dose and feeling settled (you may need one or two medication titration appointments to achieve this), you can order your medication through the repeat medication process.
Following two months of being on the same dose, with no further changes, we will consider returning your care to your GP.
Can I see you on the NHS?
We are a private clinic, and therefore you cannot be seen by us as part of the NHS. <br><br>We can write to your GP once you are stable on your treatment to ask them to take over prescribing as part of a Shared Care Agreement, however they are under no obligation to accept this agreement.
Do I need a referral?
Our clinicians can see you directly without a referral, however a condition of all appointments is that you agree for Harley Street Mental Health to copy your GP into all assessment and treatment plans.
We are happy to accept referrals from other clinicians, however this is not necessary to use our service.
What happens during an appointment?
If you have booked a virtual appointment, you will be sent an invitation through our clinic software known as “Semble”. On the day of your appointment, you click the link and will enter into a video interview with one of our clinicians.
If you have booked an in-person appointment you will be greeted by your clinician in the waiting room.
Do you accept insurance?
Currently we do not accept insurance, and all of our assessments and treatment plans are self funded, and therefore we encourage you to look at the “fees” page prior to booking.
Do you prescribe medication?
Our team are able to prescribe medication as part of your treatment plan if this is required. Our prescriptions are private, and therefore you will be liable for the cost of the prescription and the medication.
Hod do I know if the treatment will be beneficial?
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees with psychiatry. All of our clinicians are extremely experienced and prescribe based on the most up to date evidence base. You will be involved in your treatment plans at all stages.
I have a complaint?
We are sorry to hear that you have a complaint. Please see the complaints section of our website or email complaints@hsmh.co.uk where we will endeavour to resolve your complaint in a timely manner.
What are the fees associated with ADHD Assessments?
Please see the fees section on the website. It is important that you are aware of all costs prior to starting treatment. An ADHD assessment costs £715 and lasts approximately 1.5 hours and will include a detailed written report and treatment plan (includes a prescription which will posted to your chosen pharmacy, if medication is considered suitable for you).
The cost of medication will be in addition to this and paid directly to your chosen pharmacy.
We then require service users to attend titration appointments at £150 each where your medication is adjusted until most effective. Once you move on to repeat prescriptions, they will cost £48 for a monthly prescription.
Once you are stable on your medication (around two months of being on the same dose, with no further changes and you feel much better) you can ask us to write to your GP and enter into a shared care agreement which costs £125. Your GP is under no obligation to accept a shared care agreement, and therefore we encourage all service users to discuss this with their GP prior to using our service.
Are you registered with the CQC?
Yes, we have been approved for registration with the Care Quality Commission
I have another question
Please email us on contact@hsmh.co.uk and we will get back to you shortly
