Minister To Launch Pilot Project At Hollins Park

Warrington North MP HELEN JONES will be welcoming Rosie Winterton
MP, Minister of State for Health Services to Warrington on Thursday 30
March. 

The Minister will officially launch the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate project which is being run by Advocacy Matters at Hollins Park, Winwick.The Mental Capacity Act 2005 becomes statutory in April 2007 when advocacy becomes statutory.  There are seven pilot projects across the country and the one in Warrington, which covers Cheshire and Merseyside,is the only pilot in the North West and it will look at training needs,referral processes and policy development. The project is about safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable in society,  those people who lack capacity to make decisions regarding serious medical treatment and changes to residences and have no friends and family to support them. 

Advocacy Matters was set up 5 years ago in Warrington and was chosen by the Department of Health to pilot the project from a large number of applicants.They already provide advocacy services to patients in the NHS including those with dementia,  functional mental health conditions,enduring mental health needs,  learning disabilities and acquired brain injury

HELEN JONES said:
"I am delighted that Advocacy Matters has secured one of the pilot
projects.They have a proven track record and are an excellent choice.

Their work in supporting people with dementia,  brain injury or learning disabilities who face important decisions is vital.  The advocate will be able to represent a person’s wishes,feelings,and beliefs as well as being able to bring to the attention of decision makers all factors that are relevant to their decision.Crucially they will also be able to challenge the decision maker if appropriate."

In her letter to HELEN JONES announcing the pilot schemes the minister said: "I am delighted that we will be able to provide these new services more than a year ahead of the planned implementation of the Act. The work of the pilots will ensure that many vulnerable people will benefit from the safeguards that the Act will eventually bring.  It will help support people who are unable to speak for themselves when they are faced with major decisions about their health and social care but have no family or friends to represent them."

Attendees include;  Sheila Evans,  IMCA Implementation Team;  Carol
Elford,  Cheshire & Merseyside Specialised Commissioning Team;  Rob Harris,  Director Advocacy Matters;  Jenny Clark,  IMCA Pilot Manager Cambridge House;  and Katja Huijbers,  Training Officer Action 4 Advocacy.