Read our full response from @camille-oung.bsky.social here: www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/mo...

It also includes findings from @nuffieldtrust.org.uk research on the progress Integrated Care Systems are making on addressing health inequalities.

The report also notes problems with access to health and care services, workforce shortages, unwarranted variation and inequalities throwing doubt on the government's ability to achieve its ambitions to shift care from hospital to community.

These issues were reflected in this year’s ADASS Spring Survey - 20% of Directors of Adult Social Services had no confidence in their budgets being sufficient to meet their statutory duties on DOLS in 2025/26: www.adass.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Today’s report highlights significant concerns around DOLS including lack of awareness amongst staff and the public, significant increases in applications resulting in long delays and backlogs, and wide variation between areas on how they manage the DOLS process.

DOLS apply when someone over 18 and in a care home or hospital does not have the mental capacity to consent to their care arrangements which deprive them of their liberty. They are an important safeguard to make sure people’s rights are protected.

These issues were reflected in this year’s ADASS Spring Survey - 20% of Directors of Adult Social Services had no confidence in their budgets being sufficient to meet their statutory duties on DOLS in 2025/26: www.adass.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Today’s report highlights significant concerns with DOLS including lack of awareness amongst staff and the public, significant increases in applications resulting in long delays and backlogs, and wide variation between areas on how they manage the DOLS process.

DOLS apply when someone over the age of 18 in a care home or hospital does not have the mental capacity to consent to their care arrangements which deprive them of their liberty. They are an important safeguard to make sure people’s rights are protected.

Powerful reminders of the need for action on this important but often overlooked part of the health and care system. We and others are calling for urgent improvements in the current process and for CHC to be as part of the Casey Commission 📣

These findings are consistent with our own work – published at the end of September – which shone a light on the complexity of CHC with variation driven by multiple factors at an individual, organisational and system level - www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/research/all...

Our blog from lead author @rachelhutchings.bsky.social sets out why CHC matters, the significance of our research findings, and the implications if urgent action is not taken to fix a system that is clearly struggling under pressure.

Read Rachel’s blog 👇