Term	Definition	Example
Capacity (to consent)	The ability to understand, retain, weigh up, and communicate a decision about a specific treatment. Assessed for that decision at the time it needs to be made — not a permanent label.	"Capacity is checked for this scan, today — not as a label that stays on his record."
Informed consent	A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure, given after a clear explanation of what it involves and any risks.	"We need informed consent for the MRI before we go ahead."
Best interests	The structured decision made when a patient is judged not to have capacity for a specific decision. It involves the family and the clinical team — not the family alone, and not the doctor alone.	"If he can't decide this himself, we make a best-interests decision together."
Next of kin	The patient's closest family contact — the person the team speaks with about care, but not automatically the decision-maker.	"You're listed as his next of kin, so we'll keep you involved throughout."
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)	A legal document appointing someone to make decisions for a person if they later lack capacity. It is not the same as an advance decision.	"The Lasting Power of Attorney covers health decisions only if he lacks capacity for that decision."
Advance decision / directive	A document setting out treatments a person refuses in advance, should they later lack capacity. Distinct from a Lasting Power of Attorney.	"An advance decision says what he would refuse — it isn't the same document as the LPA."
Fluctuating capacity	Capacity that comes and goes: some days the patient understands completely, other days they do not.	"Some days he knows exactly what's going on. Today isn't one of those days — his capacity is fluctuating."
Understanding the information	One part of a capacity assessment: whether the patient grasps what the procedure involves.	"First we check whether he understands the information about the MRI."
Weighing up the decision	Whether the patient can balance the benefits and risks of this specific decision.	"We also need to see whether he can weigh up the decision for himself."
Voluntary decision	A decision made freely, without pressure from family or clinicians.	"The decision has to be voluntary — his, not anyone else's."

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