HSC publishes glowing report on island's mental health services

Tuesday 30 November 2021

The Committee for Health and Social Care has published a summary of an independent report into Guernsey’s mental health services.

The report was commissioned in 2018. David Gedze, an approved social worker, reviewed services and presented conclusions and recommendations.

“Guernsey has good mental health services, which in many ways are as good as or better than those in most countries in the world. The services are well resourced, providing a wide range of clinical interventions to meet the needs of the population," said Mr Gedze.

The publication of the full report was requested earlier this year after Deputy Lester Queripel put a long list of questions to the Committee for Health & Social Care about the island’s mental health services.

He asked for a copy of the latest report in full. But the President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, Deputy Al Brouard, declined to share it.

"The report was not commissioned on the basis that it would be shared beyond the organization - to enable staff to speak candidly to the reviewer and importantly due to the sensitive nature of the report content. The report therefore cannot be shared," said Deputy Brouard.

A summary of the report has now been published.

“In the light of the recent political focus on the mental health and wellbeing of the community, the Committee felt that it was important to share a summary of the report prepared by Mr Gedze, together with details of the actions taken in response to the recommendations of this review,” said Deputy Brouard.

Pictured: Deputy Al Brouard, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, who said: “While there have been calls for a further review of the service, the Committee’s position is that this is unnecessary at this time."

The summary of Mr Gedze's report reveals an overwhelmingly positive picture, including that Guernsey experiences “very low waiting times, a sufficient number of in-patient beds and a focus on the physical health and wellbeing of others".

Mr Gedze, who has more than three decades of experience in mental health, found that the island provides a “wide range of clinical interventions".

He also commended the Committee on mental health facilities at The Oberlands, calling them spacious and welcoming for patients.

Mr Gedze made a number of recommendations where he felt there was room for further improvement. They included the introduction of personal health budgets for patients and developing links with a UK mental health trust.

Pictured: Progress has been made on nearly all of Mr Gedze’s proposals.

The only recommendation which has not been progressed is rebranding mental health services. Mr Gedze suggested calling them 'Guernsey Specialist Mental Health Services' to strengthen their identity.

More information about mental health services is available ONLINE HERE.