Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1518. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will put in place a standard operating procedure across all CAMHS teams, without exception, ensuring that all children in all areas receive the same high-quality service and that all staff members are following the same referral criteria in order to guarantee the same quality of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56627/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, this Government is committed to improving all aspects of Mental Health care, including that for CAMHS and wider youth mental services. This is reflected by the significant new service developments for CAMHS arising from Budget 2024, along with various other initiatives being progressed by the HSE. This includes, for example, the recently established Child and Youth Mental Health Office within the Health Service Executive (HSE), implementation of relevant parts of the national policies Sharing the Vision and Connecting for Life, and the HSE progressing lessons arising from recent report and audits on CAMHS.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible, in relation to the more detailed operational aspects of the matter raised by him.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
