Mental health facility’s £1m revamp is officially unveiled

Mental health facility’s £1m revamp is officially unveiled

Dr Miguel Garcia-Alcaraz, associate medical director and consultant psychiatrist, said he was delighted at seeing the building finally up to standard and ‘just being able to walk into a place that is inviting and has a better feeling to it, unlike what you had in the past, which was like a 1960s office building and just wasn’t fit for purpose’.

Health Minister Richard Renouf opened the revamped facility, following a government investment of £1 million so it could continue to be used by the Community Mental Health Team, which was re-established in the summer.

The service provides Islanders with a range of healthcare professionals including mental-health nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists.

La Chasse had housed the Community Mental Health Team since 2015.

‘In this year’s Government Plan we have had substantial investment into mental health and this will continue into next year,’ said Deputy Renouf. The minister also emphasised the importance of mental health and advised Islanders to look out for one another during what could be a tough Covid winter.

‘I hope people would be aware of that [priority] in the sense of needing to keep an eye out for friends and families and neighbours – we should be asking each other how we are really feeling and coping. For those who need a high degree of help our Community Mental Health Team has come into being and is working with people who need that level of input. They have done great work over the last few months and clearly that will need to continue into winter, which can be a more difficult time.’

Last week, Senator Steve Pallett quit as an Assistant Health Minister with responsibility for mental health to back a vote of no confidence in Chief Minister John Le Fondré.

Deputy Renouf added: ‘I very much regret Steve’s departure but the service will continue.

‘The show goes on, and there’s no reason why Steve cannot continue to champion mental health in the way that some other States Members do. He supports this work and has led it, but has been reporting to me and into our other systems so there isn’t a lack of leadership at the top – we are still going to be able to manage and develop this service.’

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