Clinique Pinel: Mental health facility move delayed again

The move from Orchard House to Clinique Pinel is hoped to be completed by the end of April

The relocation of a Jersey mental health facility has been delayed due to "additional upgrade works".

The government had planned for the move from Orchard House to Clinique Pinel to be finished by the end of January.

Health officials said the move would instead be completed "by the end of April".

Having already experienced two years of delays, the project has gone £3m over the original £7.3m budget.

In statement, the government said: "Unfortunately, the move of Orchard House has been further delayed, and it is now scheduled to move to Clinique Pinel at the end of April.

"The delay is due to additional upgrade works pertaining to a number of existing doors/fire doors and the provision of additional specialist fittings to ensure the ward is as physically safe as possible.

"Part of the building is presently being occupied by Cedar Ward, where refurbishment has already been successfully completed."

The delay to the opening of Clinique Pinel is reportedly due to additional upgrade works on a number of doors

Darren Bowering, associate director of mental health and wellbeing at the Government of Jersey, said there will be "mitigations in place".

He told BBC Radio Jersey: "Old and young people who are experiencing a level of risk and mental health concern have historically been attending Orchard House which isn't ideal as it's an adult ward.

"Therefore we are very keen for the Clinique Pinel to be developed, where there will be bespoke and individual units for old and young people to be supported."

He added: "If we have admissions, people will be supported by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) staff, and where possible, we will use separate areas of Orchard House for those young people, so there's mitigations in place.

"Obviously once Clinique is open we will have a much better environment to do that."

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