Submit a DoLS application
Only a hospital or care home can submit a DoLS application.
If you’re a professional working in one of these settings, before submitting a DoLS application, you must:
- complete your own Mental Capacity Assessments for accommodation, care and support needs
- identify any restrictions in place
- make sure you’re applying to the correct local authority.
If the person is:
- self-funding or homeless - apply to the local authority in your area
- being paid for by another local authority - apply to that local authority
- paid for by NHS continuing healthcare - apply to the local authority that the care home or hospital is within.
Apply to Medway Council
Before completing Form 1 or 2, you need to make sure that you have details of:
- the person - including their full name, address, date of birth and medical history
- any family or friends involved in supporting the person, particularly anyone who is registered as Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare
- the hospital or care home (managing authority)
- the reasons why a Deprivation of Liberty is needed
- any restrictions already in place and why these are necessary.
You must complete a renewal at least 28 days before the DoLS authorisation is due to expire.
Apply for a new authorisation (Form 1)
Renew a current authorisation that has not expired (Form 2)
What happens after
Once you have submitted Form 1 or 2, we will process it as soon as possible. We’ll contact you if we need any further information.
We're unable to provide specific timeframes for assessments. The urgency for an assessment will be judged case by case on the information you have given to us.
Once we’re ready to conduct the assessment, a Best Interest Assessor and Doctor will contact you. They will arrange to visit and assess the person. They will need to review documentation and contact any interested parties, for example the funding authority and family members.
After the assessment has been completed, a senior member of Adult Social Care staff will review and authorise it. The DoLS Team will send a copy of the completed authorisation to you and the person’s representative by email. Make a note of the expiry date and ensure you submit a Form 2 before this date if the DoLS needs to be renewed.
Refer someone living at home
If you want to refer someone living in their own home or supported accommodation in Medway, either:
- email the allocated team
- phone 01634 334 466 and select option 2.
Professional resources
You can find further DoLS resources for health and care professionals on the GOV.UK website.