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Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards deaths - automatic coroner referrals end

From Monday 3 April 2017, it is no longer necessary to refer all patients who die while subject to an authorisation under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to the coroner.

Previously patients who died subject to DoLS were regarded as dying while in state detention, triggering an automatic requirement for an inquest. Now the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 has been amended so that coroners are no longer under a duty to investigate a death solely because the individual was subject to the DoLS at the time. These deaths now only require reporting to the coroner if the cause of death is unknown, or where the cause of death is violent or unnatural.

All deaths while subject to a DoLS authorisation that occurred prior to 3 April 2017 still need to be reported to the coroner.

Last updated : 10 Apr 2017

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