HSE must provide urgent answers on CAMHS and reassurance to service users

• Welcome extension of regional review and appointment of Clinical Director
• Systems change requires adequate staffing
• No full-time psychiatrist in Kerry unacceptable

Labour Health Spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has today called on the HSE to provide reassurance to service users following the publication of the review into North Kerry CAMHS. Deputy Sherlock said:

“The North Kerry CAMHS report published last night paints a harrowing picture of a ‘wild west’ situation, with no oversight, no accountability and, in many cases, God-like decisions being made about children. Much of this is owed to non-existent systems and poor clinical governance.

“I very much welcome that steps are being taken to rectify the issues raised in the report, including the appointment of a Clinical Director in the Cork/Kerry region and confirmation that the HSE will extend its review in the region. However, it is difficult to have confidence in meaningful change when adequate staffing, which is absolutely crucial to systems reform, is not in place. If we have learned anything from recent scandals in relation to children’s healthcare in Ireland, it is that staffing is fundamental to building a positive culture, providing high-quality care, and upholding strong systems in which we can have confidence.

“It is simply unacceptable that there is not one full-time permanent psychiatrist on the ground in Kerry. We cannot rely on individuals dialling in for sessional work. We must see full-time, on-the-ground psychiatrists providing essential one-to-one clinical support. You simply cannot build a service on sessional hours or replace the quality of in-person care.

“The Minister must move heaven and earth to ensure that recruitment of full-time psychiatrists happens without any further delay. Furthermore, we must see a red-flag system expedited to ensure there is an alert mechanism to monitor and address any over-reliance on medication, with strict clinical oversight.

“It is also vital that anyone with concerns about the care they received from CAMHS, anywhere in the country, has access to the external review panel.

“We must never see a repeat of what occurred in North Kerry CAMHS. Every family, every child and every GP who seeks support from CAMHS must have full confidence that the service will provide the care required. It is clear we still have some way to go. The Minister must now deliver that confidence.”