**New on this page** Link here for access to the Department of Health "Myth buster" published 05.02.2009
From
April 2009, statutory access to an Independent Mental Health Advocate
(IMHA) will be available to patients subject to certain aspects of the
Mental Health Act 1983. IMHAs are an important new safeguard that will
help and support patients to understand and exercise their legal
rights. IMHAs will be aviable to most detained patients as well as
patients on supervised community treatment or guardianship. Other
patienst whose treatment is subject to the special safeguards provided
by the Act, will also be eligible for the services of IMHAs.
Access the Department of Health IMHA Website here.
Written ministerial statement
The
Minister for Social Care Phil Hope, has made a written minitserial
statement on commissioning and funding arrangements for Independent
Mental Health Advocates (IMHAs). Under regulations laid today, Primary
Care Trusts will be responsible for commissioning IMHA services for
patients subject to the Mental Health Act 1983. IMHA services are to
be available nationally from 1 April 2009.
Access the ministerial statement here.
Regulations
The
Mental Health Act 1983 (Independant Mental Health Advocates) (England)
Regulations 2008 direct PCTs to make arrangements for independent
mental health advicates (IMHAs) to be available to help qualifying
patients under the Mental Health Act 1983. They also set out the
minimum requirements people must meet to act as an IMHA and spcifices
who must check that an IMHA meets these requirements. Subject to
Parliament, these regulations will come into force on 1 April 2009.
Acces the regulations here.