Rising Concerns over Mental Health Care in Jersey as Advocate Calls for Urgent Action on New Strategy

Patricia Winchester, CEO of My Voice, an independent advocacy organization, has called on Jersey’s government to act quickly on a new mental health support strategy. She expressed concern that some patients are still stuck in hospital wards due to the lack of suitable alternatives. This comes after Health Minister Tom Binet mentioned that the budget for the new plan was yet to be determined during a recent scrutiny hearing.

The Jersey Health Department has estimated that a budget of around £1 million would be required for the new strategy. Efforts to improve mental health services in Jersey have been ongoing since 1996 to address the needs of an aging population and provide support for various mental health conditions.

Mr. Binet referred to the £1 million figure as a rough estimate and emphasized the importance of moving towards affordable plans. He noted that the department would explore how to enhance mental health care for conditions like dementia and neurodiversity with current funding.

Ms. Winchester is urging quick action on the issue, highlighting that some mental health patients have been on hospital wards for several years while families wait for assessments. She also pointed out that some care home residents have had to relocate due to the challenges of managing advanced dementia. Winchester emphasized the need to prioritize vulnerable members of society and stressed that the new mental health strategy should be implemented without delay.

In conclusion, Ms. Winchester’s call for quick action on this issue is understandable given the impact it has on patients and their families. The government should work towards finding sustainable solutions for mental health care in Jersey while ensuring that vulnerable members of society receive adequate support.