Proposals by the Social Care Institute for Excellence in March 2015 for improving access by service users to advocacy services[i] include the following:

 

 

• Genuinely open access processes to ensure that more qualifying patients are referred to IMHA services.

• Rigorous recording and monitoring of patients’ choices and pathways

• Easy availability of  IMHA Resources for staff

• Improving access to IMHA for providers of mental health services referred to IMHA services unless they object.

• The provision of key information for qualifying patients about the role of advocates and their commitment to confidentiality

• A system of weekly reports by Mental Health Act administrators to the advocacy service about qualifying patients

• Respect for the confidentiality of those who object to a referral

• Staff training in giving and recording information.

• Mechanisms for regular monitoring of processes of open access between mental health services and advocacy providers and commissioners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[i] Twelve new useful resources were launched at an event at the House of Lords, by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to supplement earlier resources.  These were co-produced by peer researchers and service users, drawing on people’s direct experiences