Mental capacity
Every day, we make decisions about our lives. These decisions could be about simple things like what we eat and what we wear. They could also be about more major things like our health, our care and our finances. Our ability to make decisions is called mental capacity.
The Mental Capacity Act covers situations where people aged 16 and over, who may lack capacity, are involved in decisions. It also allows for people to plan ahead if they think they may lack capacity in the future.
You can find out more about how we deal with these issues on our mental capacity page.
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs) were introduced in England and Wales in April 2009 as part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The aim of DoLs is to provide protection for vulnerable people who are accommodated in hospitals or care homes in circumstances that amount to a deprivation of their liberty and, who lack the capacity to consent to the care or treatment they required.
You can find out more about how we deal with these situations on our depivation of liberty page.
