THE Ministry of Health is actively looking to see how they can improve facilities at the country’s lone psychiatric hospital.
Word of this has come from Health Minister Donville Inniss. He said that over the years, the 30-acre Black Rock facility has not been well maintained, and with limited resources while it is difficult to upgrade the facility as they would like, such upgrades are needed.
“We have done some remedial work in a couple of areas, including a quarter-way home and an expanded women’s unit; and tenders went out recently for a much-needed new kitchen facility there as well. There is no doubt that some structural work has to take place at Psychiatric Hospital to make it a more stable environment for both patients and the staff, and we have been trying to see what we can do to improve the physical plant without diluting the emphasis we place on capacity-building at the staffing levels,” he shared.
Minister Inniss said that in spite of the fact that the hospital – which can cater to more than 500 patients – is desperately in need of repairs, it is well managed. However, he said there is still a stigma attached to the facility and mental illnesses as well, which needs to be addressed.
“There has been a thrust to remove the stigma associated with mental health and to bring the diagnosis, treatment and care of persons with mental illnesses closer to the community and we have been seeing some success there. We must make the effort to break down these barriers and to ensure that quality care is available to all persons, especially those who are considered to be among the more vulnerable groups within our society.”Inniss continued, “Stigma is definitely a hidden aspect of the burden of mental illness and so our aim is to, throughout our mental health reform programme, reduce this burden by encouraging family and community support as well as encouraging persons to use the mental health services that currently exist.”
The Health Minister expressed that he is committed to bringing health care in general closer to the community. That is not to suggest, he maintained, that he supports more institutions being established, but rather he thinks there is a need to develop more enlightened patients, which would allow individuals to be more aware of their circumstances, so that they can better manage themselves. (JRT)
