The care plan will be reviewed with you on a regular basis. Your social care worker will explain this. The review will be done jointly by the NHS and us.

You will be invited to each review and will be asked what you think is working and what, if anything, you think needs to change.

At the review an updated care plan will be written. The new plan will show 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 carers.

The people and organisations identified as responsible for each service at the review meeting must make sure that the services are put in place for you straightaway.

How does section 117 aftercare end?

The section 117 aftercare only stops when you no longer need the services on your plan. Even if you are doing well outside of hospital, you may still need aftercare services to make sure you stay well.

Ending section 117 aftercare is called being ‘discharged’ from section 117. We and the NHS must both decide that you no longer need any aftercare services. This decision must take place at a joint review.

You must not be discharged from section 117 if you are still receiving the services you need.

Section 117 aftercare does not end just because:

• you have been discharged from specialist mental health services, such as those provided by a community mental health team;
• a certain length of time has passed since you left hospital;
• you go back into hospital voluntarily or under section 2 of the act;
• your community treatment order ends; or
• you refuse aftercare services.

What if I go back into hospital?

Some people worry that if they are detained in hospital under section 2 of the act in the future, section 117 aftercare will end. This will not happen.

If you go back into a mental health hospital, your section 117 plan will continue. You should make sure that staff in the hospital understand your plan.

How can I make a complaint?

If you are in hospital and want to make a complaint about your care, you should contact the relevant complaints and representations service or the patient advice and liaison service there. Staff on the ward will be able to give you the details you need.

• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) makes sure that mental health law is used properly. If you are not happy with how duties or powers under the act have been carried out, you can complain to the CQC, and it will investigate.
• Phone: 03000 616161 (Press 1 to speak to the mental health team).
• Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
• Website: cqc.org.uk

Healthwatch West Sussex represents the interests of patients, customers and the public, locally and nationally. It is independent of local councils and the NHS.

• Phone: 0300 012 0122
• Website: healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk
  

If you want to make a complaint about the social care worker who carried out your assessment for section 117, you should contact our Customer Relations Team .