The Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) service came into effect in England in April 2009 as part of a new statutory provision in the revision to the 1983 Mental Health Act passed in 2007. The revised legislation provides a safeguard and right to advocacy for qualifying patients detained under the Act. The main purpose for an IMHA is to help and support patients in understanding and exercising their legal rights. This paper assesses the commissioning of IMHA services. Thirty five IMHA service providers responded to a survey focused on six areas of work pertaining to IMHA service commissioning. Findings revealed that IMHA providers were underfunded and overstretched in the face of the demand for their services, while there is still a lack of awareness about it among service users and mental health staff. The report concluded that commissioners need to carry out IMHA needs assessments and put new contracts out to tender so that comprehensive services are provided and black and minority ethnic service users’ needs are properly catered for.
The Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) service came into effect in England in April 2009 as part of a new statutory provision in the revision to the 1983 Mental Health Act passed in 2007. The revised legislation provides a safeguard and right to advocacy for qualifying patients detained under the Act. The main purpose for an IMHA is to help and support patients in understanding and exercising their legal rights. This paper assesses the commissioning of IMHA services. Thirty five IMHA service providers responded to a survey focused on six areas of work pertaining to IMHA service commissioning. Findings revealed that IMHA providers were underfunded and overstretched in the face of the demand for their services, while there is still a lack of awareness about it among service users and mental health staff. The report concluded that commissioners need to carry out IMHA needs assessments and put new contracts out to tender so that comprehensive services are provided and black and minority ethnic service users’ needs are properly catered for.
Subject terms:
mental health services, needs assessment, rights, advocacy, black and minority ethnic people, commissioning, Independent Mental Health Advocacy;