Government consultation: Changes to the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice and the implementation of Liberty Protection Safeguards

Overview

The Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 has paved the way for the introduction of Liberty Protection Safeguards, which are often abbreviated to LPS.

Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) will replace Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to provide better protection for people aged 16 and above who:

• need to be deprived of their liberty in order to provide them with the care or treatment they need;
• do not have the mental capacity to make decisions about their own care and treatment arrangements.

People who might need LPS include those with dementia, autism, and learning disabilities who lack the relevant capacity

PUBLIC CONSULTATION:

The Government has published some draft changes to the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice, which aim to enable the introduction of LPS to take place.

The Government is now conducting a consultation about the proposed changes to the Mental Capacity Act Code of Conduct and the introduction of LPS.

More details about the Government’s proposals, and information about the consultation process, can be seen on the government website using the link below.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 7 July 2022.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONSULTATION EVENTS;

The Department of Health is holding a consultation event on Thursday 9 June, 9.00am – 11.30am, for people who are either family members or carers of those with lived experience.

For more information contact Peter Dixon at: Peter.Dixon@dhsc.gov.uk