Informal patients

Explains your rights if you're having treatment in hospital as an informal patient.

Useful contacts

Mind's Legal Line provides legal information and general advice by phone.
Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.

To find advocacy services and groups in your area, you could call Mind's Legal Line on 0300 466 6463 or contact your local Mind.

If you're in hospital, you can also contact the:

In some situations, you may be legally entitled to the support of an advocate. For more information, see our page on your legal rights to advocacy.

cqc.org.uk
Regulates and inspects health and social care services in England.

0808 808 7777
029 2081 1370 (Carers Wales)
[email protected]
carersuk.org
Advice and support for anyone who provides care.

gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Can tell you if you're eligible for legal aid, and give you free and confidential legal advice if so.

hiw.org.uk
Independent regulator for healthcare in Wales, where you can make complaints and provide feedback.

lawsociety.org.uk
Professional association for solicitors in England and Wales. Includes a searchable directory of solicitors.

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This information was published in October 2022. We will revise it in 2025.

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