Asist are the provider of IMCA services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. IMCA’s support people when they are assessed to lack capacity to make a best interest decision and they do not have family or friends appropriate to consult about the decision.
Eligibility
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 states that Local Authorities and NHS bodies have the power to instruct an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) when:
- long-term accommodation (to hospital for more than 28 days or to other accommodation for more than 8 weeks)
- serious medical treatment (this can be a decision about whether to stop or withhold treatment, as well as a decision to start it)
IMCA instructions can also be made for Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults when protective measures are proposed (irrespective of consultable friends/family) and for Care Reviews relating to accommodation.
In the case of a care review or safeguarding, a Care Act referral can sometimes be more appropriate than an IMCA referral. The Mental Capacity Act gives professionals the power to make an advocacy referral in these situations, whereas the Care Act gives them a duty.
Summary –
Asist provides IMCA services in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, supporting individuals without capacity who lack suitable family or friends to consult on best interest decisions.
