A pre-hospital clinician is asked about the legal basis for treating an unconscious patient who cannot consent to treatment. Under what legal framework can treatment be provided? A Treatment of unconscious patients is always illegal without prior written consent B The Human Rights Act alone provides the legal basis C The Mental Capacity Act 2005 - treatment can be provided in the patient's best interest if they lack capacity to consent; this is further supported by the common law doctrine of necessity D Only a next-of-kin can consent on behalf of an unconscious adult E A court order is required before treating any incapacitated patient
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