Case Studies / IMHA Client N

IMHA Client N

Client N wanted support in his Care and Treatment Planning (CTP) meeting and was concerned about losing his flat as had been in hospital for over a year.

Barriers faced in being heard:

Client N wanted support in his Care and Treatment Planning (CTP) meeting. He was concerned about losing his flat as he had been in hospital for over a year and his housing benefit would stop as a result of this. However discharge planning had not started yet. N needed support raising his concerns and trying to establish what needed to be done for discharge planning to begin. Supported accommodation had been suggested to N but he did not want to leave his flat as he wanted to remain as independent as possible. He needed support to get his views across that he wanted to start discharge planning with a view to returning home.

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Advocacy undertaken:

  • The Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) attended the CTP with N and explained his concerns regarding discharge.
  • N’s MDT felt his mental health had been stable for a while but as he was on observations for falls this was delaying discharge. He needed to come off these and start using leave to work towards discharge.
  • IMHA explained that if N did not have home leave soon he could lose his housing benefit and his flat.
  • IMHA stressed that a delay in discharge planning could prevent him returning home.
  • The MDT discussed lowering N’s observations and start using escorted leave. A number of Occupational Therapy (OT) assessments needed to be carried out prior to overnight leave being granted but these were scheduled for the following month.
  • IMHA asked if anything could be done about this as N potentially could lose his flat? The MDT agreed to bring assessments forward and then if these went well discharge planning could begin.

Outcomes:

As a result of IMHA support N’s concerns were listened to and planned assessments were brought forward. The MDT accepted supported living was against his wishes and trialling section 17 leave* with a package of care would be a less restrictive option even though they had concerns about the risks involved. Client N was reassured that discharge planning would start soon and that he would be able to keep his flat. N was eventually discharged home with a package of care.

*Ref. Mental Health Act (1983)