Mental Health Commission's report into the provision of CAMHS services across this country has been welcomed by the Government, the Department of Health and the HSE. The publication of the associated reports of the individual nine Community Health Organisation (CHOs) reports are both a timely and welcome contribution to our shared common objective of improving the quality and safety of all CAMHS services. While there are recognised challenges and issues identified in the CHO reports, it is important to note that across each CHO area, the hard work and dedication of the many staff working in frontline services is acknowledged and recognised by the Mental Health Commission. Importantly, all immediate concerns raised by the Commission and escalated to the HSE have been addressed as a matter of priority inclusive of open case reviews, individual care planning, corporate and clinical governance and risk management. In addition there has been on-going and extensive engagement between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Mental Health Commission regarding the findings, and extensive collaboration continues to take place.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, the HSE/South East Community Healthcare office has advised my Department that it welcomes the publication of Reports by the Mental Health Commission on the provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, including one focused on the South East region and understands the frustration felt by some families. The HSE/SECH wishes to provide assurance that it will listen carefully to any feedback on users’ experience of the service. In particular, the Head of Service in the Mental Health South East Community Healthcare has advised my Department that as part of its range of community mental health services, HSE/SECH operates nine CAMHS teams in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. All these teams are multidisciplinary in nature and are led by a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (all of whom are on the Specialist Register). While CHO5 does not have an inpatient psychiatric unit for children who require psychiatric inpatient care, they do utilise beds provided by Eist Linn in Cork or at Linn Dara in Kildare. CHO 5 are also working to develop positions for the provision of out of hours liaison service across the Region.
In 2022 1,858 young people were treated and supported by the SECH’s CAMHS services across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. As noted by the Mental Health Commission, 91.1% of urgent referrals to CAMHS were responded to in this area within three working days (meeting/exceeding the nationally set 90% target). 91.2% of accepted referrals/re-referrals offered first appointment and seen by SECH within 12 months.
I look forward to continuing to work with the HSE and the Mental Health Commission in relation to the service improvement of CAMHS. To this end I welcome the appointment of both the Assistant National Director and the Clinical Advisor for Youth Mental Health and I look forward to the positive improvements that the establishment of the Youth Mental Health Office in the HSE will bring.
