Deprivation of liberty safeguards.
The Mental Health Act 2007 introduced an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 that authorizes the deprivation of liberty of a person who lacks decision-making capacity in a care home or hospital where this is necessary to protect them from harm. District nurses will have such patients on their case loads and will need to be aware of the requirements that are due to come into force in April 2009.
Griffith
Richard
R
Health Law, School of Health Science, Swansea University. richard.griffith@swan.ac.uk
Tengnah
Cassam
C
D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005610:Freedom; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017751:Safety Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom