BMA releases deprivation of liberty guidance

New guidance designed to assist doctors is assessing the deprivation of liberty of vulnerable patients has been published by the BMA. DoLS (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) were introduced in 2009 as an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This guidance has been developed following the supreme court judgements in Cheshire West, which considerably widened the number of adults deemed to be deprived of their liberty.  In addition to protecting the rights of patients, DoLS set out the procedure authorising deprivation of liberty in clinical settings, such as hospitals and care homes.   Help for doctors BMA deputy head of ethics Julian Sheather said that he hoped the guidelines would enable doctors to consider the implications when assessing whether a restriction of liberty was necessary and in a patient’s best interest. He said: ‘This guidance is designed to offer health professionals brief practical guidance to help them identify when individuals in their care may be deprived of their liberty and therefore application should be made for authorisation under DoLS. ‘Some health professionals may find the legal concept of deprivation of liberty sits uncomfortably with their ordinary obligations to promote the best interests of their patients. ‘It is important to emphasise that even if care or treatment amounts to a deprivation of liberty it does not follow that the care or treatment is inappropriate.’ Read the guidance
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news