Royal Edinburgh Hospital Individual Advocacy Service

AdvoCard offers independent advocacy to people using mental health services at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. This includes those who may be going through compulsory treatment under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, as well as people who have chosen to come into hospital voluntarily.

We work across a range of areas in the hospital, including acute, rehabilitation and forensic services (The Orchard Clinic), care of older people wards (Eden and Comiston), Child and Adolescent Mental Health inpatient and day-patient services, and, on a case-by-case basis, the Ritson Clinic for people receiving support with alcohol use.

Our role is to support people to have their voices heard and their rights respected. We help people get the information and resources they need so they can take part in decisions about their care and treatment. Wherever possible, we encourage and support people to build the skills and confidence to speak up for themselves.