A 19-year-old woman with mild learning difficulties attends the GP with her support worker. She requests a copper IUD for contraception. She can expla...

Question

A 19-year-old woman with mild learning difficulties attends the GP with her support worker. She requests a copper IUD for contraception. She can explain why she wants contraception and understands the procedure, risks, and alternatives after they are explained in simple terms. The support worker suggests the woman cannot consent and that her parents should decide. Which is the single most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Assess her capacity using the Mental Capacity Act 2005 framework - if she can understand, retain, weigh, and communicate the decision, she has capacity and can consent herself

Answer

Agree with the support worker and contact the parents

Answer

Refuse to provide the IUD until a best interests meeting is held

Answer

Refer to a psychiatrist to assess capacity

Answer

Provide the IUD without formally assessing capacity as she is over 18

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Capacity Assessment for Contraception