I am exceptionally concerned at the length of time it is taking for the registration of a lasting power of attorney (LPA) at the Office of the Public Guardian. An application was made on behalf of my elderly client on 29 February to register the power
for her son. It has taken the best part of three months for the application to be processed.



At this time I still do not hold a registered LPA. Numerous telephone calls were made to the Office of the Public Guardian's customer service department, which informed me on all occasions that the file would be 'flagged' for fast process due to the delay.



It has become more than apparent that the staff are not exactly well-trained to respond to enquiries. Although changes to the old system were inevitable, the new system for basic powers is drawn out and impractical. I will have to warn future clients of the current timescales for registration and that any application is likely to take four months.



Martin Salt, Sheehy-Smith, Derby