Are you aware of your rights under the New Mental Health Act?

A number of service user rights are written into the Act to safeguard you as an individual. Some may be more familiar to you than others. A named person, for example, is someone that a service user may nominate to be consulted about and informed of aspects of their care. You may also have heard of Independent Advocates. Under the Act, you have the right to access to an Independent Advocate who will work alongside you to ensure that your voice is heard; given that there may be times when you feel less able, for whatever reason, to do so yourself. One important right under the Act is the right to an advance statement.

An advance statement is a written document stating how you wish to be treated, or not treated, in times of poor mental health. Whilst staff are not obliged to do as you state, they are obliged to take account of your wishes when deciding upon your treatment and care. It needs to be written, and witnessed, when you are well.

Klacksun has information which will help you in writing your own advance statement.   Contact us for details.

If you wish to know more about your rights, please feel free to call into the Klacksun office, The Advocacy Place (Alloa) or to email either Gina. Contacts may be found on this website.

To read or download a copy of related documents click on the link below:

A Guide to Advance Statements

Forth Valley Guide to Advance Statements