DoLS communication pack - December 2009

On 1st April the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) became an official amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The new safeguards apply to residents in registered Care Homes and patients in hospital who are over the age of 18.

The safeguards protect people who suffer from a mental disorder or severe and ongoing mental health problems and lack the capacity to give consent to arrangements for their care or treatment. This information pack is to assist social care/health staff in understanding how to follow DoLS and how best to integrate it into day-to-day working practices.

The pack has been put together by Leeds City Council and NHS Leeds and includes:

• A contents page
• A Frequently Asked Question sheet for DoLS queries
• Five booklets jointly published by the Department of Health and the Office of the Public Guardian. These are entitled:
  • What are the Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards?
  • The Mental Capacity Act 2005: Deprivation of Liberty
    Safeguards and you (easy read)
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: A guide for Primary
    Care trusts and Local Authorities (OPG 607)
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: A guide for hospitals and Care Homes (OPG 608)
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: A guide for relevant
    person’s representatives (OPG 609)

Further Information:

• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards - Code of Practice