Patient Rights Assistance

The patient rights office provides support services for mental health consumers. Services include individual advocacy, mental health facility complaints, missing persons assistance for mental health consumers, and patients rights assistance. There are no geographic restrictions.

This office is responsible for protecting the rights of people of all ages who are under psychiatric care in acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric wards of general hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, outpatient clinics, licensed board and care homes, licensed group homes or day treatment centers in Los Angeles County.

Advocacy staff accept complaints from and act as advocates for people who believe their rights have been violated, and for anyone who is unhappy with their mental health treatment and services. They also assist family members, facility staff and the general public regarding patient rights issues. There are no geographic restrictions.

Staff provide information about the legal rights of clients including those which enable the person to retain personal possessions, communicate regularly with people outside the facility, refuse shock treatment and psychosurgery, have legal representation at hearings, be in the least restrictive setting that is appropriate, be free from abuse, and have contact with the Patient's Rights Office.

Project Search will assist in the search for missing mental health consumers. Once a person is located, the office tries to determine whether the patient wants to be re-united with the family member requesting the search. If so, the reunion is arranged.