NHS Digital has published DoLS statistics for the period April 2023 to March 2024. Sadly, the data is not surprising, with ongoing backlogs and delays to authorisations being completed.
What is DoLS?
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is a protective legal framework for those who can not consent to their own care and treatment, and for whom the culmination of care and treatment would be classed as a ‘Deprivation of Liberty’. The DoLS process provides independent oversight, monitoring and representation for vulnerable adults to ensure that provisions are necessary, proportionate and justifiable.
Since the implementation of the DoLS process, the system has struggled to meet the number of people who fall under the safeguarding framework, putting many vulnerable people at risk. It also puts those providing care and treatment in a difficult position of having applied for the appropriate authorisation, but not having been given the legal authorisation to proceed.
DoLS stats 2023-24
According to the report published by NHS Digital, the system continues to struggle to meet demand. Highlights include:
- There were an estimated 332,455 applications for DoLS for the period 2023-24.
- Of these applications, 58% were classified as ‘urgent’, and only 37% of these urgent applications were fully assessed during the period 2023-24.
- Meanwhile, there were an estimated 145,945 fully assessed applications for DoLS during 2023-24. A further 15,270 were only partially assessed.
Crucially:
- The reported number of cases that were not completed as of the year end was estimated at 123,790.
- The number of cases closed without any assessment having being conducted was estimated at 162,655.[1]
- Only 19% of standard applications were completed within the statutory timeframe of 21 days.
- The average length of time for all completed applications was 144 days, compared to 156 days in the previous year.
Has anything changed?
Based on this latest report, it seems very little has changed from last year, when NHS Digital reported very similar figures for DoLS cases. The number of applications is still very high, and worryingly, far too many cases are either not completed, or not completed in a timely manner. For less than 1 in 5 of all standard applications to be completed within the legal timeframe is frankly, shocking.
Government action is desperately needed to address the DoLS delays and ensure the rights of vulnerable people are protected.
[1] Cases may be closed due to the person being discharged from the care setting, having regained capacity, or having died during the period.