The Department of Social Development (DSD) held its first Staff Development Day for 2008 on Wednesday 2 April. This annual one-day exercise was designed to assist in the personal and professional development of the staff.

Staff members at the one-day exercise

For the past two years the Department operated under the theme, “Understanding our Clientele’. The theme was deliberately chosen to assist the staff in their understanding of the varied personalities presented by the diverse clientele served by the Department.

The theme for 2008 and 2009 is, ‘Legally sound for 2008 and beyond’. In keeping with this theme the newly implemented Mental Health Act was the focus for discussion. The staff of the Department was joined by members of the Mental Health Committee for this session which was facilitated by. Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, Attorney General Chambers. Areas highlighted included:

i. Categories of persons suffering from mental disorders who may be considered for admission to a care facility

ii. The procedure to be followed for admission of patients to a care facility

iii. Length of detention at the facility

iv. Treatment and care of patients

v. The constitution, appointment and function of the review panel

vi. The discharge procedure, and

vii. Transfer and removal of mentally ill persons into and out of Anguilla

Later in the day, staff members from the Miriam Gumbs Senior Citizens’ Home joined the DSD staff for a presentation on Gerontology delivered by Ms. Jessica Riley, assisted by Ms. Anna Fleming. Gerontology is the study of the process of ageing and the problems of older people. As Anguillians live longer, it is imperative that knowledge about ageing and the ageing process, as well as the challenges faced by the elderly are brought to the fore.
Ms. Riley explained that ageing is a normal process which begins even before birth. She further pointed out that ageing consists of three sets of processes, viz. Biological, Psychological and Social. All the major systems in the body are affected including the Respiratory, Digestive, Circulatory and Neurological Systems. As our knowledge and understanding of the ageing process and its manifesting effects increase, this should help us to be more supportive and empathetic as we care for older persons.
Care and treatment of the elderly has become a priority area for the Department as increasingly family members continue to cry out for financial and other assistance to help them care for their loved-ones.
The Department uses this opportunity to remind the general public, however, that in the Hospital and Poor Relief Act which is still very much on the Statutes of Anguilla, it is the duty first of the family to relieve and maintain family members who are destitute or otherwise financially unable to provide for themselves.
The staff also used the workshop to review the Department’s five year Strategic Plan and discuss the findings of an in-house self-assessment questionnaire on Skills and Competencies administered late last year. Commissioner, Mr. Sanford Richardson, facilitated these sessions.

- Press Release

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