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Lewisham Advocacy Services

In Lewisham, South East London, we currently have two advocates based at Lewisham Hospital, on the Ladywell Unit.

They work with people who have been held under certain sections of the Mental Health Act. 

They also work in different community settings with clients who aren't based at the hospital.

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Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)

An IMHA has to be provided to work with anyone who needs one if they meet particular criteria within the Mental Health Act. They must be either:

• Conditionally discharged or a restricted patient
• Subject to Guardianship under the Mental Health Act
• On a Supervised Community Treatment Order
• Being considered for serious treatment such as Neurosurgery
• Someone under the age of 18 being considered for electro-convulsive therapy

 

The IMHAs work with each individual to get information, and understand:

• The parts of the Mental Health Act which applies to them
• Their rights under the Mental Health Act
• The rights, under the Mental Health Act, which their relatives have
• Any medical treatment they are being given
• The reasons for the treatment

 

We would work with a client on a One2One basis until the issue that we were working on was resolved.

Our IMHAs are completely independent and work with the client to get the best outcome for them. To do this they regularly consult with other people involved in the person’s life. Our IMHA’s aim to:

• Communicate what it is that their client wants
• Provide the right information to their client
• Look at all the options available and discuss them with the client
• Get involved as much as their client wants them to

 

Referrals can be made by:

• The person themselves
• A member of staff
• A family member
• Any other person who knows them

 

Lawrence Oyewole and Isaac Oloyede are our Independent Mental Health Advocates in Lewisham and are contactable on the details below.