Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
340. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health for an update on the recommendation from the final report on the provision of child and adolescent mental health services in the State by a person (details supplied) for the Mental Health Commission to extend its regulatory remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45906/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mental Health Commission report is a welcome contribution to a common objective of improving CAMHS services. Of the 49 Recommendations, many are already being progressed under workstreams arising from the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan, the Maskey Report, the COG audit and the national audit of prescribing practice.
The Mental Health Commission plays a vital independent role in supporting and assisting the Department of Health and the HSE in developing and improving mental health services. I, the HSE and all advocates in the sector share the Commission’s commitment to ensure the safest and most effective service for children. To this end, on foot of the Maskey report I had extensive engagement with the Commission and encouraged them to undertake a comprehensive review of children’s mental health services as the topic for their annual mental health services review. I was also pleased to provide the necessary resources to the Mental Health Commission to enable this comprehensive review to take place, running in parallel with the HSE national CAMHS audits.
While the MHC Interim Report highlighted concerns regarding service delivery and administrative practices in five CHOs, many of these related to operational issues within CAMHS teams that have been recognised and resolved. It is reassuring that the final report identified evidence of clinical audits of open cases during the review of the final four CHOs. This final report along with the interim report highlight concerns regarding gaps in governance, both at corporate and clinical level across CHOs. In highlighting these areas where practices can, and should, be addressed, the Commission provides an opportunity to ensure that the HSE’s services are improved.
Of course, any area that falls short of the high standards that young people and their families should rightly expect is an area of concern. However, I am reassured from the on-going and extensive engagement between my Department, the HSE, and the Commission regarding the findings of the Final Report, that care in individual cases has not been seriously compromised. It should be noted that any areas of concern identified by the Commission in carrying out its report were escalated immediately to the HSE for immediate action and resolution.
I look forward to continuing to engage with the HSE, and specifically with the new office for youth mental health, to ensure that these recommendations are delivered on.
