Best interests is a bioethical standard for patient treatment decision-making, in particular when the patient is unable to consent to treatment, due to the patient’s status as a minor, or impaired cognitive or communicative capacity. A best interests decision aims to protect a patient’s welfare and preferences, but its determination is complex and varies in accordance with whether the decision is being made on behalf of children, adults who have lost capacity or those with permanent cognitive impairment. For legal requirements of best interests decision-making in Singapore in relation to adults who have lost capacity, see Section 6 of the Mental Capacity Act accessible at Singapore Statutes Online <http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/home.w3p>
