Explains your rights if you are having treatment in hospital as a voluntary patient.
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To find advocacy services and groups in your area, you could call Mind's Legal Line or contact your local Mind.
If you're in hospital, you can also contact:
In some circumstances, you may be legally entitled to get the support of an advocate. See our page on your legal rights to advocacy for more information.
cqc.org.uk
Regulates and inspects health and social care services in England.
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.
This information was published in June 2018. We will revise it in 2020.
References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.