The report of an independent review of Mental Health Services has been released today (4 October 2022).
This is the second report written by Mr Gedze, a Mental Health Social Worker, and includes findings from interviews with various stakeholders, service users, family members, States of Deliberation members, private and third sector providers along with an assessment on progress made since his initial visit in 2018. This second report looks at all mental health and wellbeing services on island and not just specialist services delivered by Health & Social Care.
The author, Mr David Gedze commented that mental health and wellbeing services in the Bailiwick are well resourced but he identified some duplication in areas and gaps in others. Guernsey also benefits from a rich network of voluntary sector organisations that provide services in addition to the statutory services provided by the States of Guernsey.
The findings of Mr Gedze's first report can be read here.
As with his first review, Mr Gedze made recommendations to build on the strengths of the existing structure and noted that a number of small changes could improve the service and the perception of the services, as a means of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of care delivery.
The 2022 recommendations are as follows:
- The gaps identified are added to the Guernsey and Alderney mental health and wellbeing service map and the group reconvenes to address them
- There is a mental health strategy group for Guernsey and Alderney that oversees the implementation of strategic objectives as set out in the Mental Health & Wellbeing Plan for Guernsey and Partnership of Purpose letter
- The Operational Manager (community) has a specific responsibility for developing partnerships and working with other organisations to create an integrated mental health pathway
- The secondary care mental health services are rebranded as Guernsey Specialist Mental Health Services (GSMH)
- The service considers discharging all people whose mental health is stable and put more resources into providing a crisis response
- The process of transition from adolescent to adult services is reviewed by the Operational Managers for CAMHS and the community team
- A termly meeting for CAMHS and schools is considered
- Further integration of the community team with a single manager and team of senior practitioners is progressed
- Primary Care practices to have a named professional in secondary care to refer to
- The service considers how to make the Oberlands feel more welcoming and to offer support and signposting to family members as appropriate
- Welcome packs to be given to people admitted to the wards
- Recruitment and retention incentives to be reviewed and exit interviews to be offered
- A system for regulating therapists practising on the island is considered
