Advocacy Service

	How to contact us:-

ADVOCACY SERVICE

	Client Leaflet:-

Please take a look at our Client Leaflet for details of the service and the support we offer.

Who is the service for?

This service is available for people using or trying to access mental health services and is completely free of charge.

What does the service offer?

We can offer you independent support to enable you to express your views and wishes in relation to the mental health services you are using, or trying to use. We can do this in a variety of ways including:

Listening Supporting you to speak up or speaking on your behalf Providing information on mental health issues and services Attending meetings with you Writing letters on your behalf

Our commitment to you

We will always aim to work with you in a confidential and non-judgemental way. We cannot guarantee total confidentiality but any disclosures will be in extreme circumstances. A detailed Confidentiality Policy is available on request We will keep notes of the support we provide to you. These notes are confidential to the Advocacy Service and are kept for seven years. You may request a copy of your notes at any time We will be as flexible and responsive to your requests for support as we can within the resources of the service available. However, it may not be possible to meet all of your needs all of the time At times of high demand it may be necessary for us to create a waiting list. This will be on a "first come, first served" basis

Independent Mental Health Act Advocacy

From 1st April 2009, changes in the law mean that some patients are entitled to help from an Independent Mental Health Act Advocate (IMHAA). Derbyshire Mind has been commissioned to provide this service across the whole of the County of Derbyshire (including the City).

IMHAA services provide an additional safeguard for patients who are subject to the Mental Health Act. IMHAAs are specialist advocates who are trained specifically to work within the framework of the Act to meet the needs of patients.

IMHAA services do not replace any other advocacy and support services that are available to patients, but are intended to operate in conjunction with those services.

Patients who are eligible for IMHAA Services (‘qualifying patients’)

Patients are eligible for support from an IMHA if they are:

Detained under the Mental Health Act (even if they are currently on leave of absence from hospital); Conditionally discharged restricted patients; Subject to guardianship; or Supervised community treatment (SCT) patients.

The role of an IMHAA

IMHAAs provide support to help people obtain information about and understand the following:

Their rights under the Mental Health Act; The rights which other people (eg nearest relatives) have in relation to them under the Act; The particular parts of the Act which apply to them; Any conditions or restrictions to which they are subject Any medical treatment that they are receiving or might be given; The reasons for that treatment (or proposed treatment); and The legal authority for providing that treatment, and the safeguards and other requirements of the Act which would apply to that treatment.

It also includes helping people to exercise their rights, which can include representing them and speaking on their behalf. IMHAs may also support patients in a range of other ways to ensure they can participate in the decisions that are made about their care and treatment.

The Mental Health Act Code of Practice provides more details about the IMHA role.

The flowchart gives information about Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)services and about making referrals.

Our opening hours

The main office opening hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. There is an answerphone service available if staff are unable to respond to the 'phone'.

Please see above on how to contact us ...

| HOME |