Deputy Richard Renouf has lodged a ministerial response to a review published last month by the Health and Social Security Panel, identifying a number of shortcomings in the Island’s mental-health services.
The minister said he accepted that progress had been ‘slower than expected’ in some areas of the mental-health strategy, which was launched in 2016,
But he added that there had also been a ‘number of successes’ such as the launch of Jersey Talking Therapies and the establishment of the Jersey Recovery College.
In his response Deputy Renouf also points out that the recently formed Mental Health Improvement Board will push forward other outstanding initiatives, and strategic objectives will be established to measure progress from 2021.
‘The report by Scrutiny highlighted a number of concerns with the Island’s mental-health service,’ he said.
‘However, now is the time to give reassurance to Islanders that we can address these concerns and begin to change for the better. Improving Islanders’ mental health and wellbeing is a key priority for the Council of Ministers.
‘The Health Department is committed to turning the Island’s mental-health services around and improvements are already in place.
‘With our dedicated workforce, valued voluntary sector partners and detailed action plan I’m confident that we can take mental-health services in a positive direction.’
Other projects being carried out by Health and Community Services to address issues relating to mental-health services includes work being carried out to improve conditions at Orchard House, which is due to be relocated to a newly refurbished facility next year.
Plans are also in place to create a ‘place of safety’ at the Hospital for Islanders in mental-health crisis, to improve access to GP care and to establish a ‘Listening Lounge’, which offers 24-hour support.
Other priorities include the recruitment and retention of mental-health staff, with work being carried out to provide keyworker accommodation alongside a ‘Welcome Jersey’ initiative to support people moving to the Island.
