Covid-19 Elimination Strategy (P.61/2020): third amendment [P.61/2020 Amd.(3)]

STATES OF JERSEY

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COVID-19 ELIMINATION STRATEGY (P.61/2020): THIRD AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 18th May 2020 by Deputy K.G. Pamplin of St. Saviour

STATES GREFFE

2020  P.61 Amd.(3)

COVID-19 ELIMINATION STRATEGY (P.61/2020): THIRD AMENDMENT ____________

PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –

After paragraph (b), insert the following new paragraph –

"(c)  that the strategy must include explicit provision for how, at each

stage of the strategy's implementation, mental health services will be provided and enhanced by the Government of Jersey in order to support Islanders during the Covid-19 pandemic; and",

and re-designate the remaining paragraphs accordingly. DEPUTY K.G. PAMPLIN OF ST. SAVIOUR

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

1. to request the Chief Minister to develop and implement a new Covid-19  elimination  strategy',  arising  from  which  the Government of Jersey should revise its delay, contain, shield' policy  and  the  safe  exit  framework'  to  reflect  this  new strategy;
2. that the elimination strategy' must detail a plan of action that will be implemented with the explicit aim of eliminating the virus  in  Jersey  through  well-recognised  measures  used  to eliminate infectious diseases –

• rapid case detection identified by widespread testing, and rapid case isolation and contact tracing;

• continued intensive hygiene promotion;

• border  controls  with  high-quality  quarantine  of  those arriving in Jersey;

• intensive  physical  distancing  that  may  include  various severities of lockdown; and

• a co-ordinated communication strategy for elimination;

3. that the strategy must include explicit provision for how, ateach stage  of the strategy's implementation, mental healthservices will be provided and enhanced by the Government ofJersey  in  order  to  support  Islanders  during  the  Covid-19 pandemic; and

4. to request  the  Chief  Minister  to  publish  this  elimination strategy' in a report to the States within 2 weeks of the date this proposition is adopted, and to publish updated versions of the strategy whenever guidance is altered, in order to ensure that everyone remains fully informed about the current strategy.

REPORT

This Amendment seeks to provide explicit provision for the assessment of and impact on Islanders' mental health should the States Assembly adopt P.61/2020.

The intention behind the Amendment is to ensure that the impact on Islanders' mental health is addressed at each stage of any new strategy, and to allow the Mental Health services to adopt a more proactive approach to the support offered. The Island's Mental Health services have reacted to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic with great speed, while keeping the needs and concerns of their patients in the heart of all they do, and they should be congratulated in achieving this. However, the earlier they are made aware of the strategic stages, the sooner they can determine the level and type of support that will be required.

If the Proposition is adopted, I believe the general public would welcome consideration of Islanders' mental health at each and every stage. For example, when a Minister, speaking in the States Assembly or at a press conference, raises mental health concerns as one of the reasons for certain decisions, reference can be made to the involvement of the Mental Health services at each strategic stage.

An article in UN News dated 14th May 2020 (https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/05/1063882) refers to –

"Decades of neglect and underinvestment in addressing people's mental health needs have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN said on Thursday, in a call for ambitious commitments from countries in the way they treat psychological  illness,  amid  a  potential global  spike  in  suicides  and  drug abuse".

The article also identifies the growing use of addictive coping strategies, including alcohol, drugs, tobacco and online gaming as examples.

It also states that –

"During the COVID-19 emergency, people are afraid of infection, dying, and losing family members, the UN recommendations also explain. At the same time, vast numbers of people have lost or are at risk of losing their livelihoods, have been socially isolated and separated from loved ones, and, in some countries, have experienced stay-at-home orders implemented in drastic ways".

I believe that no States Member would dispute that the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting on Islanders' mental health.

• We know of many elderly Islanders not wanting to be a burden.

• Local domestic abuse charities have stated concern over the drop-in contact with them.

• Data  confirms  that  medical  professionals  and  other  key  workers  have experienced  significant  mental  health  problems  linked  to  the  Covid-19 emergency.

• The Island's Children's Commissioner has indicated that children will need support on their return to education.

A  press  release  by  the  World  Health  Organisation  dated  14th  May  2020 (https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/14-05-2020-substantial-investment-needed-to- avert-mental-health-crisis) states –

The  COVID-19  pandemic  is  highlighting  the  need  to  urgently  increase investment in services for mental health or risk a massive increase in mental health  conditions  in  the  coming  months,  according  to  a  policy  brief  on COVID-19 and mental health issued by the United Nations today.

The impact of the pandemic on people's mental health is already extremely concerning," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. "Social isolation, fear of contagion, and loss of family members is compounded by the distress caused by loss of income and often employment.

Financial and manpower implications

It is difficult to predict exactly the financial and manpower implications arising from the adoption of this amendment. Ensuring and enhancing the delivery of Mental Health services may require additional funds to be made available; in a similar way to those monies listed by the Minister for Treasury and Resources at the meeting of the Assembly on 12th May 2020 when discussing the initiatives already supported by the Government during the pandemic.