IMCA
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 states that anyone 16+ who lacks capacity and has no family or friends able to speak for them and who is the subject of a descision regarding serious medical treatment or a long-term move to accommodation arranged by the local Authority or NHS must have an Independant Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)

Additionally

• An IMCA may also be helpful in Care Reviews.
• An IMCA may also be helpful in Safeguarding Adults proceedings, even if family or friends can be consulted

Under the Mental Capacity Act an IMCA can ....

• Ask to see individuals in private
• Ask to see, and to take copies from, individual health and care records
• Request a further medical opinion
• Appeal on behalf of an individual if they feel that their report was not given enough consideration
• However the final decision is not made by the IMCA

To refer someone to an IMCA please contact:

Telephone: 0345 4563210 Fax: 01254 301033 Email: imca@elas.org.uk

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