Independent Health Complaints Advocacy

If you need support and guidance through the process of making a formal complaint about your NHS care or treatment, you can contact The Advocacy People.  They will provide you with a Self Help Information Pack to help you make a complaint about your care or treatment using the NHS Complaints Procedure.  Independent Health Complaints Advocacy is a free, independent and confidential service that can help and support you to complain about any aspect of your NHS care or treatment.  This includes treatment in a private hospital or care home that is funded by the NHS.

Telephone: 0330 440 9000
Email: info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk

Independent Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA)

IMHAs are completely separate from the NHS and Social Services, they work for the Dorset Mental Health Forum, an independent peer led charity.  The service is a free and confidential service for any adult or young person who is subject to the Mental Health Act 1983.

What is an Independent Mental Health Advocate?

An Independent Mental Health Act Advocate (IMHA) is an advocate who is specially trained to work with any adult or young person who is subject to the Mental Health Act 1983.  This means most people who are detained or ‘sectioned’ under the Act.  You can also get help from an IMHA if you are a conditionally discharged restricted patient; or subject to Guardianship under the Act; or under a Supervised Community Treatment Order (STO).

If you are an ‘informal’ patient you will also be eligible for help from an IMHA if you are being considered for serious treatment, such as neurosurgery for a mental disorder, or ECT if you are under 18 years old.

Telephone: 01305 257172
Email: admin@dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk

Dorset Children’s Advocacy

Action for Children to provide independent advocacy services for disadvantaged children and young people across Dorset.

Advocacy services in Bournemouth and Poole

This service is for children and young people:

• aged 8-18 years
• in the care of BCP Council
• involved in Child Protection processes
• wishing to make a complaint
• who are aware that a referral is being made on their behalf

Bournemouth office: Tel. 01202 525643 / 520453
Email: bdpadvocacy@actionforchildren.org.uk

Advocacy services in Dorset

This service is for children and young people:

• In the care of Dorset Council – aged 0-18 years
• leaving the care of Dorset Council – up to age of 25
• involved in Child Protection processes (1989 Act) – aged 0-18 years
• are Child in Need (1989 Act) – aged 0-18 years
• wishing to make a complaint
• with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) undergoing transition from Children’s to Adult’s Services – up to age of 18
• involved in Capacity and Best Interests assessments for young people under the Mental Capacity Act – up to age of 18

Poundbury office: Tel. 01305 753657
Email: bdpadvocacy@actionforchildren.org.uk

Citizens Advice

Healthwatch England has worked with Citizens Advice to produce a series of guides to help you make a complaint or raise a concern about health and care services. You can find out more about what’s involved in making a complaint and see what your next steps might be.

There are tips, tools and practical resources to support you to make an effective complaint.

Contact us if you need more information about this service.