Press Release - Alderney Care Board welcomes HSC initiative on mental - 07.09.23

Media Release
Date: September 7^th 2023
Issued at 12:55 hrs

Alderney Care Board welcomes HSC initiative on mental health and wellbeing in the Bailiwick

An initiative to promote improved Mental Health and Wellbeing across the Bailiwick has been welcomed by the Alderney Care Board (ACB).

Health & Social Care's Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy, announced on September 6^th, aims to join up the various individual needs and responses to issues that can impact mental health and wellbeing.

"There will be a greater degree of integration and as a result, accessibility should increase," said Ian Carter, one of two Alderney Members on the five-strong ACB.

"This is to be welcomed especially as it's a strategy that aligns with our Island policy of health and social care collaboration across the board. Data integration can only improve signposting for those in need and as a result, people will be better looked after and outcomes will be improved."

The strategy seeks to link data, the accessibility of services and the need for improvement in services. It follows recommendations from earlier reviews, some of which are yet to be implemented.

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said on launching the new strategy: "This piece of work has been a true joint effort, with members from across the States of Guernsey [and] the voluntary and private sectors working in partnership to improve mental health for Islanders. There is a welcome focus on the building blocks for good health such as housing, good pay, safe and accessible green spaces and good quality education. Services themselves are only one part of the puzzle."

The ACB was formed to explore how health and care provision in Alderney could evolve, taking into account transferred services and on-island experience. Coordinated healthcare, social prescribing and mental health support for improved health and wellbeing are part of the ACB strategy agreed by the Island's Policy & Finance Committee earlier in the summer.

The full Strategy can be accessed at www.gov.gg/mentalhealthwellbeingstrategy

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