title: Advocacy in practice: the experiences of independent advocates on UK mental health wards.
abstract: Independent advocacy in mental health has become increasingly valued in the UK although little work has examined the day-to-day experiences of advocates themselves. This article reports on a small-scale exploratory qualitative study of practising advocates' experiences of their work in acute and continuing care wards. The project results from collaboration between members of the UK Advocacy Network and the Department of Mental Health and Learning Disability at the University of Sheffield. Although the findings will be of interest to any professional allied to these areas they are particularly relevant to mental health nurses wishing to increase their knowledge of advocacy and gain a fresh perspective on inpatient care. The findings reveal difficulties inherent in advocacy practice as well as the nature and importance of good working relationships between advocates and clinicians. Despite acknowledging such relationships frequently exist, advocates can still encounter ignorance of their role and opposition to their presence. The clearest implication of the findings is the need for greater training of nurses and other clinicians in the role of the advocate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Learning Disability, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. n.carver@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carver
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009042:Motivation; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom