The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its first monitoring report on the implementation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in England. These are procedures to protect the rights of people in care homes and hospitals who lack the mental capacity to consent to their care or treatment. A care home or hospital must apply for authorisation if they propose to deprive someone of their liberty. Care homes apply to the council with responsibility for social services in their area and hospitals apply to their primary care trust(PCT).

The CQC concluded that there were variations in their implementation across England. In some care homes and hospitals there is a lack of awareness and training among managers and staff. Some councils and PCTs have not progressed as well as others in setting up the mechanisms needed to deal properly with applications.

The report is available on the CQC website.

http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?FaArea1=customwidgets.content_view_1&cit_id=37200