Patricia Winchester, the chief executive of independent advocates My Voice, is calling for urgent action from Jersey’s government regarding a new strategy for future mental health support. She expressed concern that some patients are unable to leave hospital wards due to a lack of available options for their care. This comes after Deputy Tom Binet mentioned the unavailability of a budget for the proposed plan during a recent scrutiny hearing.
The Health Department of Jersey previously stated that around £1 million would be needed for the implementation of a new mental health strategy. Efforts have been underway since 1996 to address the mental health needs of the island’s aging population, as well as individuals with complex mental health requirements. Mr. Binet referred to the £1 million estimate as a rough figure and emphasized the importance of moving away from plans that are financially unsustainable.
Ms. Winchester stressed the need for timely action on this matter within the next three months. She highlighted cases where patients have been on clinical wards for extended periods, causing delays in assessments and creating challenges for their families. Some residents of care homes have also had to relocate due to the progression of dementia beyond manageable levels. Ms. Winchester emphasized the importance of implementing the new strategy to prioritize the most vulnerable members of society.