Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 February 2022
160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to launch a full public inquiry into the treatment of children attending South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service which would include a review of the management of the service and the treatment of the whistle-blower; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5462/22]
View answer161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans for the nationwide audit of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services following the South Kerry CAMHS review; the timeline he is working towards; the person or body he expects will carry out this audit; the terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5463/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
The report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in South Kerry has been considered locally and nationally by the HSE. It has acknowledged the systemic failures that occurred over a sustained period of time and accepted the recommendations.
There were many contributory factors that led to this catalogue of failures, including an absence of clinical oversight, appropriate governance and management structures.
There are 35 recommendations in total in the report, including an assessment of a reconfiguration of the service. Work is under way to implement the full suite of recommendations as a matter of priority - six have already been implemented and 13 have commenced implementation.
As part of the recommendations a full nationwide audit will be conducted of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams. I have also directed that there be an independently led prescribing audit in each of the CAMHS teams. This will cover community and inpatient teams. There will be a further independent-led audit of case files in north Kerry.
Alongside this, the HSE will commission qualitative research to identify the experiences of children, young people and their families using child and adolescent mental health services nationwide. I have directed that this three-stranded approach be subject to independent oversight.
The HSE has met with 198 of the 240 young people affected, and their families, to discuss the deficits they received in their care and to provide them with key information and referral to any necessary services and supports. This includes counselling supports and appropriate services from within child and adult mental health services. I am in close contact with the chief officer of the area to ensure that any additional supports that are required are provided. The HSE apologised to each individual at these meetings, and subsequently in writing, for any harm caused.
The Government has committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report. I will be working closely with my Department, the HSE and the Attorney General to ensure that the details of such a scheme are confirmed without delay. Many families have already been subjected to harm and considerable distress. I will do my utmost as Minister of State for mental health to reduce the potential for any further upset as this process continues.
The report is shocking and frightening and my thoughts are still very much with the children and young people affected. The systems we have in place must be fit for purpose to support the good work that we know is going on as much as to bring to light and address what harm is caused. Accountability in this context is vital. I understand that An Garda Síochána in Kerry is in receipt of the detailed and extensive final report, which will now be considered to see if there are grounds to commence a criminal investigation. While it is not appropriate to comment on HR or industrial relations matters relating to any individual, the CEO of the HSE has said that disciplinary action will be taken if appropriate.
