A training event on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) held at Nightingale House hospice last week attracted care professionals from across North Wales and Chester.
The event, which provoked lively discussion on the rights of vulnerable people to have a say in where they should stay, was arranged by Wrexham law firm, GHP Legal, and chaired by His Honour Judge Jonathan Butler, who sits in Court of Protection matters in Chester.
The focus of the day was to help care home managers and those engaged in protecting and empowering people deprived of their liberty in local care homes understand the principles of DOLS.
GHP Legal solicitors John Lancaster and Natalie Roberts, both specialists in the complex issue of DOLS, answered a wide variety of questions and talks were given by barristers Bansa Singh Hayer and Eliza Sharron of Deans Court Chambers, Manchester.
Speaking after the event Mr Lancaster said: “We were pleased to provide this training event, especially at Nightingale House as GHP Legal is a long-time supporter of the hospice and the valuable work it does, and to see people coming from such a wide geographic area.
“The clear message coming from the meeting was that all too often the clearly expressed views of the vulnerable are being ignored and that those deprived of their liberty in care homes, whether due to dementia, severe learning difficulty or otherwise, have an absolute right to be heard when they object to decisions about where they should stay and who should visit them and when. In addition their families also have a right to be involved.
“The feedback from participants at the event suggests that it was very well received and provoked much thought about how to promote the rights of the vulnerable.”
24/02/2015
Natalie Roberts
Partner
A Partner and Part of our Family and Matrimonial and Mental Health team in Wrexham