Thurrock Mind

Thurrock Mind Services - Advocacy

All Thurrock Mind advocacy services are independent of other services such as the hospital, social services or the local council. Confidentiality is important and we do not share information with others without permission, other than in exceptional circumstances.

How can Advocacy help?

Our aim is to help people find their voice by giving support and help to make sure they are heard, are included in the decision making process regarding their lives, and make sure their rights are acknowledged and maintained. There are two general advocacy services and an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service available at Thurrock Mind.

General Advocacy Services:

Adult Advocacy for people 18 – 65 years – can help with:

• CPA Reviews
• Referrals
• Ward Rounds
• Mental Health Assessments
• Crisis situations
• Housing and Benefits rights
• Access to Medical records
• And much more
• Download Leaflet (PDF)

Advocacy for people over 65 years – can help with:

• Choices, rights and complaints
• Contacting a solicitor
• Needs assessment care plan reviews
• Death and Dying
• Medication issues
• Housing
• And much more
• People over 65 years (PDF)

I think the General Advocacy services can help, so what do I do next?

Advocates are available at the Mental Health Unit at Basildon Hospital on Thursdays from 9am onwards on Grangewaters Ward, Hadleigh Ward, the Patrick Geoghegan Recovery Ward and the Assessment Unit. An Advocate attends the Community Meetings on Grangewaters Ward every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, and Gloucester Ward every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Advocates are available at the Forensic Wards at Runwell every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.

If you would like to arrange an appointment or discuss a referral contact the Advocacy Manager on 01375 391411 or complete our Contact Us form.

If you wish to make a referral you can download the Advocacy Referral Form or contact the Mind office on 01375 391411 to get one posted to you.

Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs):

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 created a new statutory service to provide safeguards for vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity to make certain important decisions. Thurrock Mind provides this service for disabled people of any age with profound and enduring mental health needs as well as for older people over the age of 50 years. The role of the IMCA is to ensure that the decision is in the best interests of the person.

The Mental Capacity Act says that an IMCA must be instructed when:

• A person lacks mental capacity and has nobody else to support or represent them (other than paid staff), and if the decision to be made is about one of the following:
  • Providing, withholding or stopping serious medical treatment
  • Moving into long-term accommodation in hospital, or moving to another hospital, for 28 days or more
  • Moving to residential accommodation, or different residential accommodation, for 8 weeks or more
• An IMCA may be instructed if the person lacks capacity and the decision is about:
  • A Care Review
  • Adult Protection

Download Leaflet (PDF)

How do I make a referral for an IMCA?

Before making a referral, the person in question must be deemed to lack capacity and have undergone a mental capacity test. The Decision Maker should then make the referral on Form MCA2, which can be downloaded from Essex County Council's website or directly at the following address:

http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/vip8/ecc/ECCWebsite/content/binaries/documents/MCA2_October_2007.doc

If you think it would be helpful to discuss a referral, or to find out more about the Independent Mental Capacity Advocates, contact the Advocacy Manager on 01375 391411 or fill out the Contact Us form.