1. Funded through South East Staffs and Seisdon Peninsula CCG A Presentation by Natalie Brown IMCA Manager

2. Today’s talk… Today will cover: Background Project aims Challenges Successes Case Study

3. Background…. Lack of Awareness & Compliance with the Mental Capacity Act (2005) in acute health settings Very low referral numbers made to IMCA services

4. Lack of Awareness…. Mental Capacity Act 2005: ‘depressing’ lack of awareness and ‘blatant disregard’ for the law. ‘…poor implementation of the Act was failing vulnerable adults…’ “…We would like to see more training on the legal framework and practical application of the MCA…" “…increase awareness so our most vulnerable citizens are not at risk…” Law Society’s Mental Health and Disability Committee 17 September 2013.

5. Project Press Coverage…. “Funding Boost for Advocacy Services in Burton” “Local Charity Secures Funding To Launch Pioneering Hospital Based Pilot” “Hospital Based Pilot Project to Endorse The Rights of The Most Vulnerable”

6. Project Planning…. IMCA’s to be based on site at Queens and Royal Stoke Hospital in Staffordshire research and consultation with ward staff try out new approaches to raise awareness & improve compliance

7. Challenge, where to start…. Recruiting and training team members quickly Establishing a base at the hospital Honorary Contracts

8. Step one…. Ask staff on the wards what they think, what would they find useful Use questionnaires to ascertain current levels of awareness of MCA and DoLS

9. Initial Results…. Lack of knowledge about basic MCA principles Staff wanted less formal training aside from mandatory training already provided Staff wanted a tangible resource on the wards

10. Challenges…. Hospital staff are busy Emergencies come onto the ward, appointments have to be cancelled at last minute They do not want to have extra work to do

11. Step 2: My next patient may lack capacity resource pack Resource Pack Available to staff on the Wards Key information about the MCA (2005) Available online: www.asist.co.uk

12. Step 3: Ward Based Awareness Sessions… Short awareness sessions on the wards Small staff numbers Flexible Staff talked through the pack Made aware of its availability on the ward Staff able to talk about patients

13. Over 180 Questionnaires have been completed by staff on the wards so far following awareness sessions delivered since December 2014 Ward Based Awareness Sessions… Do you feel that your awareness of the MCA & IMCA role has improved following the session today? Do you think the ‘my next patient may lack capacity’ pack will be an effective resource to help you to carry out your role on the ward?

14. IMCA Referrals… Significant increase in IMCA referrals from hospitals targeted by the pilot and other community based hospitals in the area Although numbers remain small there has been a dramatic increase compared to previous years

15. Other Publicity…. Stickers – added to advocacy partners notes to indicate IMCA involvement 1+2+3 = IMCA Screensavers used on trust PC’s to raise awareness

16. Strengths…. allows the team to be more responsive, especially with high demands on services at the moment. regular face to face contact with staff on the wards allows the IMCA team to identify issues, tailor the awareness that they deliver and enhance their awareness of issues specific to the Trust in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and DoLS (2009) avoids ward staff wasting time making ineligible referrals. fresh approach to raising awareness and changing preconceptions about the MCA

17. Feedback… (Staff Nurse FEAU): Thank you. Really helped me to understand the process. Dr: IMCA worked really hard to communicate with my patient and this helped me to understand what he wanted. CAS Nurse (Ward 78): Thanks for a quick report. Really helped with discharge. very informative well-presented and informative really interesting very good session. Need yearly ward group sessions. Please come again

18. Challenge Funding…. Initial 1 year funding Further 1 year extension Since been served with 3 months notice

19. Any Questions?