Kerry’s children get online therapy from UAE doctors as key Camhs role remains vacant

The HSE found the treatment of hundreds of children by a doctor working on the service was “risky”.

At the March meeting of the Oireachtas Health Board, Maura Young, executive clinical director of Kerry Mental Health Services, said South Kerry lacked a full-time consultant psychiatrist — with some level of oversight from an overworked acting consultant — to deal with the problem. Like an orchestra without a conductor, “That’s why it all fell apart”.

Months later, however, the position remains vacant and patients can only videoconference with doctors in Abu Dhabi.

The role will not be filled in the short term, HSE told irish examiner.

“Unfortunately, the Consultant Psychiatrist vacancy at South Kerry Camhs remains vacant,” it said.

“The HSE does not anticipate having permanent consultants in the short term and has therefore provided additional support to the team.

“As we previously confirmed, a dedicated consultant lead is in place, with additional support provided by other consultants.

“Again, as we previously confirmed, online consultant appointments have been provided. We are satisfied with the appropriate clinical management arrangements at South Kerry Camhs.”

Sinn Féin TD of Kerry Pa Daly described the situation as “not good enough”. He says:

Talking to others in the system, they are convinced that a full assessment cannot be done if the person is not in the same room as the child.

“Although it will block the dam, it is definitely not a long-term solution.

“Families are not happy with this. They are scarred by what happened and some children are still affected. Given all of this, additional efforts should be made to restore confidence in the system.”

the news health secretary stephen donnelly It was confirmed that concerns about the Camhs system had been escalated to the Mental Health Council.

Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward asks Mr Donnelly to clarify concerns raised by government Mental Health Committee About Camhs. Camhs is being reviewed by the independent body.

Mr Ward said: “In answer to my parliamentary question to the Health Secretary asking him to provide an update on the Mental Health Committee’s review of Camhs, I am deeply saddened to find that the mental health sector has escalated concerns to the HSE Health Committee.”

Mr Donnelly responded: “Furthermore, the Mental Health Commission, which is an independent body, is conducting its own review of HSE Camhs. As far as I know, the Commission has completed reviews of five CHOs and is currently reviewing another CHO. The review of the three CHOs has not yet started.

“I also understand from the HSE that where the Council escalated concerns to HSE Community Operations – Mental Health, the National Office has taken immediate action to engage with the Council and the relevant CHOs to clarify and address any concerns.”