Make up your mind, numbers. Since when did not believing someone provide 'absolute evidence of incompetence'? You sound more than a little confused yourself! If you 'doubt your patient was competent , according to the law' And 'the law clearly states that all patients are to be deemed competent in the absence of absolute evidence to the contrary' So just not believing what you're told makes you crazy? It must be nice to have such a nice, comfortable, black & white world to live in. Enjoy it while you can. As for 'contempt' and trusting ambulance crews, I believe that the patient themselves and any onlookers would more likely think: "That man just saved a life." I can't say they're more likely to trust 'healthcare professionals', because some of them might think like you do.