going back some way to when we were talking about charters, some digging about shows that some authorities do have patients charters within the MH services. for example:
www.lampdirect.org.uk/information/publications/charterformentalhealth
The Charter for Mental Health is a clear set of statements for service users and carers about what they can expect from local mental health services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. For staff it provides one set of consistent values, making clear what is expected of them and what they can expect from their organisations.
The Charter in brief says you can expect to:
Get the right treatment
Have your views and preferences valued and taken into account
Be treated with respect, dignity and compassion
Get good information to make informed choices
Be treated respectfully
Have your carers views respected
Have a written care plan
The Charter defines a common, shared value base, regardless of the variety of different perspectives on mental health. It was launched in 2008 and has been siged by representatives from the City and County Councils, Primary Care Trusts, the Voluntary Sector Partnership and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
and this one for cardiff:
Adult Mental Health Charter
Charter for Mental Health
Every person in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan has the right to mental health services that:
- Make a positive difference to each person they serve.
- Stop doing things that are not working.
- Are guided by the individual?s views about what they need and what helps them.
- Treat everyone as a capable citizen who can make choices and take control of their own life.
- Work with respect, dignity and compassion.
- Recognise that mental health services are only part of a person?s recovery.
- Recognise, respect and support the role of carers, family and friends.
- Communicate with each person in the way that is right for them.
- Understand that each person has a unique culture, life experiences and values.
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Give people the information they need to make their own decisions and choices.
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Support their workers to do their jobs well.
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Challenge ?us and them? attitudes both within mental health services and in the wider society.
www.cvmhdp.org.uk/content/public/news_and_events/default.asp?id=230
both excellent. maybe this is something to bear in mind when accessing any localised services- google your trust to see if they have a patients charter.