Written question asked by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 June 1998. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Monday, 1 June 1998 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what guidelines are followed by the Public Trust Office to keep next of kin informed about its involvement in each case.

Answer: Mr. Hammond: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidelines are followed by the Public Trust Office to keep next of kin informed about its involvement in each case. [43953] Mr. Hoon: Both the Court of Protection and the Public Trust Office treat each case on its merits, and endeavour, using the information available, to try and do what the client (the mentally incapable person) would wish. If this involves close liaison and involvement with the next of kin, this is done. However, the Mental Health area is not required to keep next of kin involved in each case on the grounds of confidentiality. If the individual was not suffering from a mental illness which meant that they were unable to manage their own financial affairs, they would not necessarily wish their next of kin to be informed of the current position regarding their finances. In some cases people would not, under any circumstances, wish next of kin involved in any way whatever. Each case must be judged on its individual merits.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 313 c67-8W; 43953
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Executive agencies Families Mental capacity Mental health Trusts Public Trust Office