About the IMCA service

The Mental Capacity Act creates a new service, the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service.

Its purpose is to help vulnerable people who lack capacity who are facing important decisions made by the NHS and Local Authorities about serious medical treatment and changes of residence - for example, moving to a hospital or care home.

NHS bodies and Local Authorities will have a duty to consult the IMCA in decisions involving people who have no family or friends. 

Local authorities and NHS Trusts are required, when making important decisions about people who lack capacity, to appoint an IMCA to represent the individual if there is no-one else to support them. Regulations passed in the autumn 2006 extended the powers of local authorities and the NHS to instruct IMCA’s in certain cases involving care reviews and adult protection cases. The IMCA's advice must be taken into account in the decision.

Anybody can make a referral to the IMCA service but only the Decision Maker can instruct an IMCA.

To make a referral telephone 020 8552 2466

Email: IMCA@mencap.org.uk

Fax: 020 8552 2466