1. If a major patient because of metal disturbance or mental retardation or for other reason cannot decide on the treatment given to him/her, the legal representative or a family member or other close person of the patient has to be heard before making an important decision concerning treatment to assess what kind of treatment would be in accordance with the patient’s will. If this matter cannot be assessed, the patient has to be given a treatment that can be considered to be in accordance with his/ her personal interests
2. The patient’s legal representatives, a close relative, or other person closely connected with the patient, must give their consent to the treatment. In giving their consent, the patient’s legal representatives, close relative, or other persons or, if no wishes had been expressed, the patient’s well-being. If the patient’s legal representatives, close relative, or other person closely connected with the patient forbid the care or treatment of the patient, care or treatment must, as far as possible in agreement with the person who refused consent, be given in some other medically acceptable manner. If the patient’s legal representatives, close relative, or other person closely connected with the patient disagree on the care or treatment to be given, the patient shall be cared for or treated in accordance with his or her best interests.
3. Provisions on treatment given irrespective of the will of the patient are included in the Mental Health Act (1116/1990), the Act on Social Work with Intoxicant Abusers (41/1986), the Communicable Disease Act (583/1986) and in the Act on Special Care for the Mentally Handicapped (519/1977).

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