The Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Author:
GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health and Social Care
Publisher:
Great Britain. Department of Health and Social Care
Publication year:
2020
Place of publication:
London

Emergency guidance for health and social care staff in England and Wales who are caring for adults who lack the relevant mental capacity to consent to their care and treatment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. The guidance is designed to minimise additional pressures on hospitals and care home and ensures that decision makers are clear about the steps they need to take. It focuses on new scenarios and potential ‘deprivations of liberty’ created by the outbreak. The guidance states that it may be necessary during the COVID-19 Pandemic to "to change the usual care and treatment arrangements of somebody who lacks the relevant mental capacity to consent to such changes" and that changes to a person’s care or treatment in these scenarios will not constitute a new deprivation of liberty. The guidance includes a decision-making flow chart for decision makers in hospitals and care home. The guidance will apply until withdrawn by the Department.[First published 9 April 2020; withdrawn on 10 August 2021, this emergency guidance no longer in use.]. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
Covid-19, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, mental capacity, infectious diseases, decision making, best interests, care homes, hospitals, medical treatment, safeguarding adults;
Content types:
practice guidance, government publication
Location(s):
England, Wales
Links:
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