Mental health unit to open following delays

The delays were caused by complications and multiple design changes, the Health Minister said (L-R Deputy Tom Binet, Andy Weir)

The health minister has apologised for the time it has taken for Jersey's inpatient mental health facility to be refurbished following a series of delays.

Clinique Pinel, at St Saviour's Hospital, is due to open its doors to patients on 27 June - almost two-and-a-half years later than initially planned.

The cost of the project has increased from £7.3m in September 2020 to just under £10.8m.

The updated facility includes 16 private en suite rooms, an intensive care ward, a seclusion room and an area for people detained by the police to receive a mental health assessment.

'Better late than never'

Minister for Health and Social Services Tom Binet said there were "a range of reasons" for the delays, including the Covid-19 pandemic and "two or three changes in design throughout the course of the project".

He said: "The expectation was that the builders will be working on a site without patients here.

"That didn't turn out to be the case and that has created a lot of extra complications.

"I can only apologise, as I say; unfortunately, these things happen.

"I think the people involved have done their best to get it finished as quickly as they can."

He added: "The finished product is great. It's late, but better late than never."

Clinique Pinel is ready to open its doors to patients - almost two-and-a-half years later than initially planned

Andy Weir, the Executive Director of Mental Health and Social Care, said the new unit would allow medical professionals to separate groups of people if required.

"If we have a group of women who want a women-only space, we can accommodate that," he said.

"If we admit young people who need to be looked after separately from adults, we can accommodate that.

"And it's not just about people having their own bedroom - they'll have their own space with lounges and access to places to eat.

"So we will be able to use the space in a different way to better meet people's needs."

Patricia Winchester, the CEO of My Voice Jersey, said: "This is the piece of the jigsaw that we have been waiting for"

While refurbishment work has been under way, some mental health services have been provided in the nearby Orchard House.

Patricia Winchester, the CEO of charity 'My Voice Jersey', which ensures patients' views are represented, said that the delays had been "very frustrating" and had placed Orchard House under "enormous pressure".

She said: "I think it's taken an awfully long time to get to this point but we're here now.

"I think on the whole, the care has been good but environment is a significant part.

"You need a spacious, calm environment in which to protect people sometimes, to support people who have real difficulties.

"So this is the piece of the jigsaw that we have been waiting for for a long time."

The updated facility includes 16 private ensuite rooms

Some parts of the new unit will open on 27 June.

Other areas - including 'Article 36', in which the senior nurse will work alongside the police to access the mental health of a person detained - are due to open at the end of July.