Advocacy services

An advocate works for you.  They can explain your rights under the Mental Health Act and help you to express any concerns you may have about your treatment. They can represent you at meetings, ensuring that your point of view is heard.

An advocate can also help in preparing for your care plan as well as researching information and helping you to assess the treatment options available.

Advocacy services support patients; there are separate advocacy services that offer support to carers. They are independent from the Trust and their service is free. The service they offer is completely confidential and non-judgemental. You can refer yourself for advocacy services, or a carer, relative or mental health professional can make a referral on your behalf.

If you need to refer someone for advocacy services and wish to discuss it further, please contact:

Sue Bradley - sue.bradley@rethink.org 

Rethink Advocacy Service

Tel: 020 3513 6055/6739

Local advocacy services

Benefit advice

Living with a mental health condition or caring for someone with a mental health condition can make managing money and securing work difficult. We can help you understand what you can do and what support is available.

Patients and the people who care for them are often entitled to a range of welfare benefits. Specialist advisers in our welfare benefits team can help you with any benefits queries.

If you live in Wandworth, Merton or Sutton you can contact our welfare benefits team by calling 0203 513 6469

If you live in Richmonf or Kingston you can contact your local Citizens' Advice Bureau, or talk to KAG on 0208 549 1028.

You can find more information about the support available in the patient information leaflets listed below.

Spiritual and pastoral care

The Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care offers a Trust-wide service with chaplains based at Tolworth, Queen Mary's and Springfield hospitals.

We hold regular services at each hospital and can provide you with help to practise your faith, whatever that may be. We can make contact with leaders of faith groups beyond those that are directly represented within the Trust.

We can also help if you are seeking meaning at a time of personal distress. We regularly visit all the inpatient units and are available to both patients and staff. In this way, we try to offer a friendly face and a listening ear when it is required.

Contact details

• Queen Mary's Hospital: 0203 513 3695
• Springfield University Hospital: 0203 513 6265
• Tolworth Hospital: 0203 513 5122

At least one chaplain is always available from Sunday to Friday. Any messages left on our answering machine will be picked up and passed on to the relevant chaplain.