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An interim report published by the Inspector of Mental Health Services, Dr Susan Finnerty has highlighted a number of very serious issues including immediate clinical reviews of open cases with all teams in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health System (CAMHS).
The report analysed the provision CAMHS facilities in 5 out of 9 community health care organisation regions covering Munster (including North Cork, North Lee, South Lee, West Cork) and much of Leinster.
Some the issues identified are as follows –
Children getting ‘lost’ in the system
Long waiting lists
Staffing problems
Lack of capacity
Lack of emergency and out-of-hours services
Failure to manage risk
Failure to properly resource services or support staff
Anti-psychotic drugs prescribed without proper supervision
The interim report calls on the HSE to begin an immediate clinical review of all open cases nationwide.
Related articles
January 24th, 2023: CAMHS Report finds 140 ‘lost’ cases
January 23rd, 2023: Tánaiste describes findings of Interim Report on CAMHs ‘unacceptable’
February 4th, 2022: HSE Report on long waiting lists at CAMHS across the country
January 27th, 2022: CAMHS Report in South Kerry prompts “full audit nationwide”
About the Author: Avril Scally is a Partner and Nicholas Moore is a Solicitor on award-winning the Medical Negligence Team at Lavelle Partners.