Number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications rises two-thirds in 4 years

The number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications has risen by 66% in the 4 years they have been in force, new figures have revealed. Statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) also found that the number of DoLS applications – which were introduced in 2009 to protect patients who lack mental capacity, typically patients who suffer from dementia or severe learning disabilities – again increased year-on-year. Nearly 12,000 DoLS applications were made in 2012/13, a 4% increase on 2011/12, which represents a slower rate of increase than in previous years. But the total increase in