Porridge Showcases the Value of the Mental Capacity Act and the Power of Good Advocacy

#advocacy #MentalCapacityAct VoiceAbility #HumanRights

I love porridge. It’s by far the best breakfast – a great choice for any other meal too. It did however come as a surprise to me that someone who thought similarly would have such an impact on my thinking about advocacy and about legislation.

?It wasn’t long after the Mental Capacity Act (2005) had passed, and we at VoiceAbility 's predecessors were running pilots to establish how the new Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service would work best. Solly, a retired postman, was in hospital, his hip was broken, and his mind was clouded by a urinary tract infection and dementia.

Solly

Solly’s refusal of food, drink, and oral medication was interpreted by the medics as a decision that he did want to carry on living, and that surgery wouldn’t be in his best interest.

Given how confused Solly appeared, my colleague at the time - and his excellent advocate - was suspicious as to whether he was either able to take this decision, or that was doing so. ?She wanted to know more. She did what the hospital staff had not done, she considered Solly’s circumstances and sought to really understand. She spoke to and listened to the staff at Solly’s care home.?

Solly’s keyworker told his advocate that when Solly felt poorly he would eat only porridge. With his advocate's encouragement, the nurses served Solly porridge. He ate, he accepted his medication, and his infection was treated. Soon Solly was chatting with the people around him and was far less confused. Solly’s advocate argued that it was in his interest to have surgery and to live.

After treatment, Solly returned to his home and resumed his life.

Listen, think, enquire, and challenge

Solly’s story provided early vindication of the vital importance of the IMCA role. It also reinforced to me that advocates- and not just advocates- but all of us involved in people services - ?at our best when we’re prepared to listen, think, enquire, and challenge.

We are at our most valuable when we really listen to what people say to us through their words and actions, and when we consider people’s views and rights even when they can’t easily tell us.

This is about considering each person as an individual, without making assumptions. As late Wendy Mitchell made clear in her first-hand account of living with dementia ‘What I Wish People Knew About Dementia’ - “when you’ve met one person with dementia, you’ve met one person with dementia.”

?Solly reminds me of the importance of open-mindedness, being prepared to challenge and focusing on rights. And his story helps me to keep in mind the life-changing outcomes that together we can achieve.

?I’d love to hear about the people and stories which inspire you in your life and work.

?Jonathan

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