If you have been assessed as ‘lacking capacity’ to make specific decisions you may be able to get an advocate. 

Who should be referred to the IMCA service?

The local authority/NHS decision maker MUST refer you if you have no ‘appropriate’ family and friends if you lack capacity to make a decision about either:

• Serious medical treatment
• Long term moves (more the 28 days in hospital/8 weeks in a care home)
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

The local authority/NHS decision maker MAY refer you if you lack capacity to make a decision about either

• Care review - with no ‘appropriate’ family or friends
• Safeguarding referral - victim or alleged perpetrator, regardless of family and friends

For more information and to find out how do you know if someone lacks capacity? visit the website