Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)

 

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) provide protection for people who are in hospitals or care homes and are deprived of their liberty for the purpose of providing treatment or care, but lack capacity to consent to these arrangements; these could include people with dementia and those with severe learning disability.

 

Deprivation of liberty is likely to occur when the person is not allowed to leave; the person has little or no choice about their life within the care home or hospital; the person is prevented from maintaining contact with the world outside.

 

The hospital/care home (the managing authority) will have to apply to the PCT/Council (the supervisory body) for a 'standard' authorisation to deprivation of liberty. The supervisory body must assess each case and agree or refuse authorisation.