Deciding that a patient must be transferred to a care home is a big decision. However, healthcare professionals make smaller decisions about patients everyday. Best interest decisions are made about personal care and incontinence, when patients refuse medication and about eating and drinking. When making these decisions it is important to try to get agreement and avoid conflict.

• Ask yourself whether the care needs to be given immediately?
• Can you go back later?
• Can you offer alternatives?
• Or can someone else have a go at offering care?