Planning for your aftercare should start very soon after you are admitted to hospital.  A planning meeting will be arranged between:

• you and your family or carer (if you would like them to be there);
• the team that has supported you on the ward; and
• your social care worker.

You have the right to contact and be represented at the meeting (free of charge) by the Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service (IMHA). The IMHA are independent of mental health services. They can speak on your behalf and tell you about the rights you have by law. Staff on the ward will give you more details on the IMHA.

Your section 117 plan shows the support you will receive, any services that will be provided and who is responsible for providing them. A copy of the care plan will be offered to you and your family or friend carers.

The people and organisations identified as responsible for each service at the planning meeting must make sure that the care plan is in place by the time you leave hospital.

Do I need to pay for section 117 aftercare?

If you have been in hospital for treatment and you are now eligible for support under section 117, the law says we cannot ask you to pay for anything shown on your section 117 plan if you will be receiving care services at home or in your local community, or if you are going to stay in a care home or nursing home.

You will be asked to contribute to the cost of any services that are not shown on your section 117 plan.

Your social care worker will check this with you and explain further.