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• A need to increase understanding of brain injury in professionals carrying out DoLS assessments
  Alexandra F Richards
  Published on: 30 June 2015

• Published on: 30 June 2015

  A need to increase understanding of brain injury in professionals carrying out DoLS assessments

  • Alexandra F Richards, Clinical Psychologist in Neurorehabilitation

  I read the article "Brain Injury and deprivation of liberty on neurosciences wards" with interest - it is well-timed and provides a helpful introduction to the the recent changes to deprivation of liberty safeguarding criteria. Working in a residential neurorehabilitation centre I am very familiar with the DoLS process as the majority of our client group are admitted under this safeguard. As mentioned in the article, the...

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  I read the article "Brain Injury and deprivation of liberty on neurosciences wards" with interest - it is well-timed and provides a helpful introduction to the the recent changes to deprivation of liberty safeguarding criteria. Working in a residential neurorehabilitation centre I am very familiar with the DoLS process as the majority of our client group are admitted under this safeguard. As mentioned in the article, the recent changes have led to an increase in the number of requests for DoLS assessment, as many of our clients lack the capacity to consent to their admission and meet the "acid test", but are not actively seeking to leave. The local authority has been overwhelmed by requests and as such it can take considerable time for the assessment to be completed, as the article mentions.

  A particular concern for the service is the lack of brain-injury specific knowledge in DoLS assessors. In my experience the professionals sent out to complete assessments are frequently from either a mental health or learning disability background. They can require considerable support in understanding the complexity of acquired brain injury, particularly with relation to individuals who have impairments that are not immediately apparent at a first meeting. It is frustrating that DoLs assessors are required to give a "diagnosis" of a mental disorder (frequently "organic personality disorder" is the only available label) as part of the DoLS process when commonly the reason for referral is a cognitive impairment (i.e. impaired insight, attention or memory) rather than a psychiatric condition. Understandably these teams have a colossal workload but I would suggest that it is to their advantage to make contact with local brain injury services and seek consultation and training. This can enable DoLs professionals to feel confident to meet the needs of a population from whom they are likely to now receive ever increasing referrals.

  Conflict of Interest:

  None declared

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  Conflict of Interest:
  None declared.

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