Safeguarding the liberties of people in care

SIR – The Government estimates that 300,000 people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, severe learning disabilities or brain injury are deprived of their liberty by their care arrangements under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (report, March 28).

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard authorisation provides legal protection to ensure that restrictions are kept to a minimum and people or their families can challenge a detention.

The Mental Capacity (Amendments) Bill – now in its final stages before becoming law – fatally weakens vital safeguards in the existing legislation. Rights to independent assessments and advocacy would be pared back and it’s likely that many people would find it harder to appeal a detention.

The Law Society is also concerned that care homes that profit financially from decisions to deprive someone of their liberty are to be given too much influence over the process, and will be responsible for reporting on whether the person is objecting to their care. This creates a clear conflict of interest. The Government must urgently revise the Bill and commit to empowering and protecting people who have little or no ability to protect themselves.

Christina Blacklaws

President, Law Society of England and Wales

London WC2

SIR – You report (April 4) that the Health Secretary has called for more people with dementia to be prescribed music therapy.

Last year the BBC launched a free website and app called Music Memories. The site offers hundreds of popular and classical tunes from every decade, and even has a section with television and radio theme tunes. More are being added all the time.

It has proved to be incredibly effective in stirring memories for those with dementia or similar problems.

Nigel Griffiths

Broadcast Music Researcher, BBC London NW4