A “PLACE of safety” for Islanders detained by the States police owing to mental health concerns has opened.
The Article 36 suite at the newly redeveloped Clinique Pinel in St Saviour is for patients who are held under Jersey’s mental health legislation. Previously they would have been taken to police headquarters or the Emergency Department.
These patients can be detained for up to 72 hours to receive crisis care and assessment.
The £10.7 million mental health ward at Clinique Pinel opened its doors at the end of June following two years of delays, while the Article 36 suite opened this month.
Mental health director Andy Weir said he was “really pleased” with the new suite.
“There’s been no one in the first week of operation, which is a good thing, but we’re up and running and ready to go,” he added.
Mr Weir explained that the new suite aimed to provide an alternative to bringing distressed people to the Emergency Department, which Mr Weir described as “not the right place” for those without physical health needs.
“It’s just such an important step for people in that position,” Mr Weir added. “It’s distressing enough being detained. Anything we can do to make that better is crucial.” The long-awaited mental health-facility upgrade comes as the States police have adopted a new approach over the past year whereby officers are no longer routinely sent to mental health incidents unless there is a risk to life or a crime is being committed.
Instead, when concerns are raised by the public, risk assessments determine whether there is a need to send police officers or not.
This new model, mirroring efforts in England and Wales, has helped reduce police mental health call-outs in Jersey by 33% from 2022 to 2023, according to police chief Robin Smith.
He praised the “genuine collaboration” with Mr Weir’s team, which he said had enabled officers to refocus on core duties.
Mr Weir added: “The partnership work with the police has been excellent, from reducing the use of Article 36 to how we manage when we do have to use it.”
