Councils in England and Wales are being overwhelmed with requests to ensure the human rights of vulnerable people are not being abused.
A landmark ruling from the Supreme Court earlier this year led to tens of thousands more requests for deprivation of liberty assessments in care homes and hospitals.
Most are not being carried out within the legal deadlines, new figures show.
Councils have called for urgent government help.
Read full story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29434519