Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000: implications for medical practice.

Abstract

The Scottish Parliament has passed a major piece of Legislation, The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Various Sections of this Act will be implemented on a phased basis between April 2001 and April 2002. This article summarises the major provisions of the Act and describes the duties of doctors and the impact on medical treatment and research where the person is incapable of giving consent.