THE opening of a new facility has reduced the amount of time Islanders facing a mental-health crisis wait to be taken to a “place of safety” from an average of seven hours to three-and-a-half.
The Article 36 suite opened in September 2024 following a £10.7m redevelopment of mental health ward Clinique Pinel.
This suite offers a “place of safety” where patients detained under Jersey’s mental health law can be held for up to 72 hours to receive crisis care and assessments.
According to the States of Jersey Police annual report, “the new facility has already significantly reduced the average amount of time officers spend on taking a person to a place of safety from seven hours to three-and-a-half hours on average”.
Published last week, the report also revealed that 80% of police demand is non-crime related.
Police chief Robin Smith explained: “Much of our demand concerns welfare issues. Often our police resources are diverted to health-related matters.
“Whilst determined to provide the best service to Islanders, the police are not always the most appropriate agency to address these matters.
“We are committed to the ‘right care, right person’ initiative that involves sign posting callers to our partners agencies who may be in a better position to help.”
The report went on to reveal that the “effective use” of the Mental Health Triage Team has seen a year-on-year increase from 15% in 2022, to 24% in 2023, and 27% in 2024.
“This has meant that the number of mental health incidents police attend has reduced by 13% from 982 to 797,” it said.
“In addition to this was a 9% reduction in the number of Article 36 detentions over the same period.”
The number of mental health-related incidents requiring police intervention previously decreased from 2022 to 2023 by 34%.
What is Article 36?
Article 36 of Jersey’s Mental Health Law allows a police officer to remove a person from a public place if the officer believes that the person is suffering from a mental disorder and is in immediate need of care or control.
A person removed to a place of safety under this Article could be detained for up to 72 hours to determine if any other arrangements are necessary for the person’s care or treatment.
