09 October 2020
Developments across mental health services including upgrades to facilities, improved care plans, integration of departments and improved access to support, have benefited patient and staff experiences.
The Government of Jersey dedicated additional funding to support a range of improvement measures after challenges were acknowledged regarding under-resourcing and struggling services.
In 2018, the Council of Ministers promised in the Common Strategic Policy, five priorities including the aim to: ‘Improve Islander’s wellbeing, mental and physical health’.
Since then, an injection of additional funding has enabled significant upgrades to the way patients are cared for in the community and within Health and Community Services.
Orchard House has, this year, achieved ‘green status’ by internal Jersey Nursing accreditation assessment for the work on improving access to psychological therapies, working in collaboration with patients on their care plans, and upgrading the general environment of the ward.
Adult Social Care and Mental Health are being fully integrated with a single point of access across multi-professional teams, focusing on early intervention and prevention. Better partnership with Government departments, including Customer and Local Services, Housing, and Social Security will ensure a holistic approach to care.
The Listening Lounge have received an additional investment of £100,000 to support with the increased activity they have seen throughout COVID-19.
Drug and Alcohol Services have been relocated to Maison Le Pape and are better placed to support clients within the community as efforts continue to address the impact the pandemic has had on substance misuse.
Islanders are now able to self-refer to Jersey Talking Therapies as they now work in closer partnership with The Listening Lounge, Recovery College, Mind Jersey and Liberate. The service is developing how to implement digital resources to allow for greater focus on patients in urgent need of support.
A Crisis Prevention Service is being established with £1.3m of funding from the Government Plan. The service includes a home treatment service and street triage which the States of Jersey Police have commended.
Senator Steve Pallett, Assistant Minister with responsibility for mental health said: “The Government promised a greater focus on Islanders’ mental health and this is exactly what we have done. With Mental Health Awareness Day tomorrow, it offers us the time to contemplate on what has been achieved and highlight to Islanders that we have listened and acted on their concerns.
“Colleagues across Health and Community Services have done a fantastic job in enabling some major changes to past ways of working. The dedication and commitment shown across the board has been a real testament to the promise to improve mental health services. As Islanders have coped with the pandemic, services have seen challenges and risen to them. There is more work to come but we find ourselves in a great position which will make real change in people’s lives.”
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