Orchard House To Close Next Year?

Channel 103 has been told Orchard House will be replaced by the end of next year.

Jersey's Health Minister says work is already underway to close the acute mental health ward after a review called it 'completely unacceptable'.

The Scrutiny Panel report highlighted the adult in-patient facility as being 'particularly bad' whilst outlining that buildings housing mental health services are dilapidated and not fit for purpose.

Deputy Richard Renouf says there is a plan for mothballing the clinic.

"We think we can get this done within 18 months, so by the end of next year I would hope we will no longer be using Orchard House."

The Minister has also told us a 'place of safety' for people in immediate mental health crisis will be created at the General Hospital by the summer.

Deputy Renouf has told Channel 103 that improving mental health provision is a priority - but that he doesn't know how much that will cost.

He says much depends on being able to recruit the right staff:

The Minister had this message for people currently suffering:

"I can reassure them that we as a mental health service are really going to be giving careful consideration to this report, and the service that we offer.  We are going to respond to the report, work with the Scrutiny Panel, and they urge us also to work with people who have had experience of our services and I know we want to do that.  We are going to ensure this is a priority."