Reacting to the statement issued this morning by the GSD on mental health, the Minister for Health, Care and Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said:

“Our mental health system is not perfect and it must improve further. I have no hesitation in saying so. I have already said publicly that I have asked the new GHA Director General to look closely at mental health as part of the wider programme of improvements he is already undertaking.

“What I will not do, however, is take lessons from the GSD on mental health. We must be judged on our record, and they must be judged on theirs. They chose to build a new prison and an airport costing around £100 million before building a new mental health facility to replace the old and neglected KGV. We have built Ocean Views and Hillsides, and we have substantially increased staffing levels in mental health. We now also have 11 students undertaking the Registered Mental Health Nurses Degree. That degree takes three years to complete, and they are due to qualify next September. We are therefore holding those vacancies for them, in line with our policy to recruit local talent, where possible. We are also now fully embarked on relocating the CMHT to Sir Joshua Hassan House.

“There is more to do, that is for sure, but my focus will remain on improving the system for service users and shortening waiting times and not on entertaining the GSD in their attempt to score party political points.”