02/12/07

Being admitted to a hospital, any hospital, for any reason can be a trying time.  It can be difficult, inconvenient and traumatic not only for the patient but for family and friends.  We want to make this admission as easy on the patient as possible by making it easy to get a bed and that the quality of services are the best they can be.  Anyone admitted to a hospital should expect to get the quality care (s)he deserves so that they recover and improve as much as possible.

An Inpatient Advocate can help you to:

	ask questions
	be heard and say what you want to say
	be included in the decision making process
	understand your options and make choices
	be treated with respect and as an equal
	know your rights

 

An Inpatients Advocate can:

	support and/or represent you at meetings, ward rounds or care planning meetings
	help you to access mental health services or help refer you to other professionals e.g. solicitors or debt advisors
	Provide information about medication and treatment whilst you are in hospital
	Provide information about community care and other support
	help you to challenge a decision about your treatment or care
	help you to make a complaint