IMHA in Secure Settings, in Kent & Medway.
The amended Mental Health Act now gives a statutory right to those people being detained (sectioned) having access to an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) with any issues relating to their care and treatment under the Act. An IMHA is a specialist advocate who can provide information, access records and ensure that the person secures his/her rights under the Act. An IMHA does not in any way affect the person's right to legal advice and representation (a Solicitor) and does not duplicate any work that a Solicitor will carry out.
In addition to providing this service to people who live in the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley area, Invicta Advocacy Network also provides an IMHA service to adults who are detained under the Mental Health Act in Secure Settings across Kent & Medway.
People who are detained in these settings have as much right to be heard and listened to, as anyone else.
This service is provided primarily in the Trevor Gibbens Unit (Forensic Medium Secure Unit), which is in Maidstone; also in the Tarentfort Centre, a secure Unit in Dartford. This IMHA service is also provided, upon request, to Kent & Medway NHS funded adults in secure settings up to 150 miles from Kent & Medway.
Leaflets (including easy read versions) of the service are available. Awareness sessions to appropriate staff and patients are given upon request. Any referrals for an IMHA in Secure Settings as set out above, can be made by contacting Invicta Advocacy Network's office on 01322 285234.
This page last updated Fri, 12 February 2010 15:42:50 GMT
