Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Islington Mind now provides the new statutory independent mental health advocacy service at its existing in-patient and community sites with an additional service in the community in Islington.
Independent Mental Health Advocate
Under the Mental Health Act, some people who use mental health services have a statutory right to access an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA).
Who has a statutory right to an IMHA?
In practical terms, this means that the following groups of people must be provided with an IMHA service:
- Detained under the Mental Health Act (except under sections 4, 5(2), 5(4), 135 or 136)
- Subject to guardianship
- On Supervised Community Treatment
- Informal/voluntary but where the possibility of serious treatment such as neurosurgery is being discussed, or ECT for people under 18
- Conditionally discharged restricted patients
What do IMHAs do?
As advocates do, IMHAs aim to empower people to participate in the decisions being made about their care and treatment.
They support people in obtaining information and understanding the following:
- The provisions of the legislation they are subject to
- Any conditions or restrictions that apply
- The medical treatment they are receiving, or which is being proposed or discussed
- The reasons for that treatment
- The legal authority for providing that treatment and the safeguards and other requirements of the Act which would apply to that treatment
- Their rights and how to exercise them
IMHAs have the right to:
- Visit and interview people in private, and with the client's permission speak to those involved in that person's care and attend relevant meetings and ward rounds
- Access records relating to treatment, detention and/or aftercare
- Access social records
Who can refer to an IMHA?
Referrals can come from:
- People who qualify for the service
- The client's nearest relative
- Their responsible clinician
- An approved mental health professional (AMHP)
People can refuse to have an IMHA and can choose to end any support they may be receiving from an IMHA at any time.
Who should tell service users about the IMHA service?
Under the Mental Health Act a duty is placed on hospital managers, responsible clinicians and social services (in the case of guardianship) to inform people about the IMHA service and to take all practicable steps to ensure they understand what is available to them and how they can obtain help.
This information should be given both verbally and in writing.
How does the IMHA service differ from the existing advocacy service?
IMHAs have the above rights and duties and those roles are covered by the existing services provided by Islington Mind in both Camden and Islington. To access the Islington Community IMHA service, please contact the Community Advocacy Manager, Stuart Butler, on 020 7485 2424 or email. For all other IMHA services, please see existing contact details here.