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INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES (IMHA)
In partnership with South Wales Mental Health Advocacy (SWMHA), MAP has been commissioned to provide the IMHA service to patients in Swansea, Neath & Port Talbot, Bridgend, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and the western Vale of Glamorgan.
IMHAs are specialist advocates who are trained to work within the framework of the Mental Health Act. The service is free, confidential and independent.
Patients are eligible for the support of IMHA if:
They are subject to compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act (except
in certain emergency situations);
They are on supervised community treatment;
They are subject to Section 7 (Guardianship);
They are informal patients who may be treated under section 57 or section
58 (neurosurgery for mental disorder or ECT for patient under 18 years)
IMHAs will work in a way that adheres to the patient's wishes, empowers
the patient and remains issue based. IMHAs will help patients obtain information
about and understand:
Their rights under the Act;
The rights which other people have in relation to them under the Act;
Any medical treatment that they are receiving or may receive;
The parts of the Act which apply to them.
IMHAs will be able to:
Visit and talk to a patient in private;
Visit and talk to any person connected with the patient's medical treatment;
Require the production of and inspect any records relating to detention
or treatment (if the patient has capacity);
Require the production of and inspection of any social services records
which relate to the patient
IMHAs will work in a broadly circular process:
Listen
Discuss options
Agree action
Research and gather information
Review options in light of information received
Confirm action
Provide support through the action requested
Review outcome
Try another option if planned outcome not achieved
The role of an IMHA is to help people communicate with an effective voice
to enable them to influence decisions that affect their lives.
IMHA
MAP
The Liberal Chambers
4 St. Mary's Street
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 2DR
Tel/Fax: 01437 768415
E-Mail: imha@map-pembrokeshire.org.uk
