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Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 20th March 2018
Present | Deputy R. Renouf , Chairman Deputy G. Southern , Vice-Chairman Deputy J. Hilton Deputy T. McDonald Senator S. Ferguson |
Apologies |
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Absent |
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In attendance | Ms P. Winchester, Independent Mental Health Advocate Ms K. Jeggo, Governor, Independent Advocacy Jersey Ms R. Morley-Kirk, Crown Advocate Miss K. Boydens , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
13/02/18 Item 5 | 1. Mental Health Regulations The Panel met with representatives from Independent Advocacy Jersey (IAJ) to discuss their concerns regarding the Mental Health (Independent Mental Health Advocates) (Jersey) Regulations (one of seven regulations lodged by the Minister for Health and Social Services). It was noted that the IAJ had previously been part of MIND Jersey. The Independent Mental Health Advocate explained that although a consultation process had been undertaken, the IAJ were not aware that the Regulations had been lodged. It was noted that MIND Jersey had contributed to the consultation exercise undertaken in 2017. The IAJ were concerned that the right to statutory independent specialist mental health advocacy had been removed for informal patients admitted to hospital. The IAJ explained that the services of the independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) would only be available, as a right, for detained patients. The IAJ explained that users of mental health services sometimes experienced difficulties negotiating with mental health professionals in terms of ensuring that their own point of view was acknowledged. The IAJ advised that the role of advocacy services was to seek to address this issue by ensuring that the service user's voice was heard; that they are able to make informed choices; and that their rights were safeguarded. The IAJ explained that if access to IMHAs was not statutory for all patients there was a risk that access would be denied to informal patients. |
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| Following the meeting the Panel agreed that the Chairman would discuss the matters raised by the IAJ with the Minister for Health and Social Services. |
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