Nearly one third of mental health referrals are rejected

Health & Social Care said the Oberlands typically received about 230 referrals each month – with 71% accepted as appropriate, and the remainder rejected.

‘Referrals that are not accepted are those which do not meet our criteria,’ said HSC.

In such cases, a recommendation might be made to seek another source of help or advice given to the person making the referral.

But HSC said nobody was turned away.

‘Every effort is made to signpost to alternative sources of help or to give advice to the referrer in the management of the individual within primary care. Guernsey specialist mental health services provide highly specialised psychiatric services for people with the most complex needs and those experiencing an acute crisis.’

Referrals have multiple sources – such as GPs, the Emergency Department at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital or the Medical Specialist Group – and can be turned down from any of them for a variety of reasons.

For example, it may be felt that the individual referred would benefit more from an alternative treatment or service.

HSC said it was in regular contact with GPs, who are also represented on a mental health and wellbeing steering group which oversees updates to the island’s mental health and wellbeing strategy.

‘As such, our primary care colleagues know the referral criteria and know what the service can deal with.’

All the teams providing specialist mental health services were described as ‘incredibly responsive’ and able to respond to need and risk as necessary.

‘As a result there are very few people on a waiting list for adult specialist mental health services.

‘The wait time for the assessment of non-urgent referrals is around four weeks, compared to an equivalent 18- to 24-month wait in the UK.’