Deputy won't stop until he gets written responses to mental health questions

Tuesday 17 August 2021

Deputy Lester Queripel is seeking answers about Guernsey's mental health services and has turned down a meeting with HSC in order to guarantee he gets written responses that "can't be disputed" at a later date.

Deputy Queripel has submitted 30 formal Rule 14 questions concerning support for mental health workers, turnover of staff, the development of specialist services, feedback from service users, the complaints process, and long-term strategy.

The Committee for Health & Social Care has requested an extension to the 14-day deadline, in light of "the unusually large amount of questions received and the level of detail requested," adding that: "it will take considerable officer time to research and compose the detailed responses."

The Deputy Bailiff has approved the extension to 30 clear days.

Pictured: The Health & Social Care Committee invited Deputy Queripel for a meeting instead in the hope that his questions could be answered that way. 

It comes after HSC sought to reach an alternative agreement with Deputy Queripel, inviting him to meet with committee members, senior officers and mental health practitioners to discuss his recent questions.

"While he has declined this offer, the invite remains open should Deputy Queripel wish to accept it at any time," the Committee added. 

Speaking to Express, the deputy said he was determined to get the answers in writing. 

"HSC have indeed invited me to go along and see how things are done for myself and I may well do that at a later date.

"But even if I do, I still want the answers in writing because answers given to questions during private meetings and presentations, can be disputed or even denied at a later date. Whereas answers to Rule 14 questions are then on record and can’t be disputed or denied at a later date.

Pictured: Deputy Queripel previously questioned HSC President Al Brouard about Guernsey's mental health services in May in the States Chamber. 

"However, even if I do undertake a site visit, in the interests of openness, honesty and transparency, I still intend submitting more Rule 14 questions in future if I don’t get satisfactory and comprehensive answers to my current Rule 14 questions."