Applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards increase 11% in single year

New data published by NHS England has shown there were an estimated 332,455 applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) received during 2023-24 - an increase of 11% similar to the previous year, which is closer to the rate of growth seen before the pandemic.

Between 2014-15 and 2019-20, the average growth rate was 14% each year.

The DoLS are a legal framework applying to individuals who lack the mental capacity to consent to the arrangements for their care.

According to the data, the number of applications completed in 2023-24 was estimated to be 323,870, with the number of completed applications having increased over the last five years by an average of 9% each year.

The reported number of cases that were not completed as at year end was an estimated 123,790, a decrease of 2% from last year.

Looking at the time taken to process applications, the data revealed that the proportion of standard applications completed within the statutory timeframe of 21 days was 19% in 2023-24, which was the same as the previous year.

The average length of time for all completed applications was 144 days, compared to 156 days in the previous year. 

Lottie Winson