'Significant investments' made in mental health services for children in Limerick

THE AGENCY responsible for delivering mental health care for children and adolescents has said “significant investments” have been made in the service since the inspection.

A spokesperson for HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare apologised to children and families “who have not received the standard of care they or we accept”.

They acknowledged “deficits” in the provision of mental healthcare.

But a number of improvements since the assessment took place in June 2022 were highlighted.

The number of psychiatrists in the region registered to serve children and adolescents has almost doubled since January 2022.

“A further consultant post has been approved and recruitment efforts are ongoing,” the agency’s spokesperson explained.

“Since the beginning of 2022, a total of 16 whole-time equivalent staff have been recruited across Mid-West Children and Adolescent Health Service (Camhs). This has resulted in an improved service in the Mid-West,” they added.

“Mid-West Camhs now has the highest provision of consultant psychiatrist staffing of any Community Healthcare Organisation when compared to the recommendations of a Vision for Change,” the spokesperson said, in reference to the HSE strategy which proposes a framework for the promotion of mental health at all levels, and specialist care to anyone who needs it.

A new Camhs hub is also under development, which will provide an alternative model to providing inpatient care.

It will involve treatment at home or in a day hospital and is designed to meet the needs of existing patients with complex needs from across the region.

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Camhs in this region has some of the shortest wait times from when a young person is referred to the service until they are assessed, said the spokesperson.

“Mid-West Camhs has the lowest wait time for young people referred for an assessment related to eating disorders and shorter than average wait times for all the other main reasons for referral to Camhs, for example depression, Attention-Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder and anxiety,” they said.

The total numbers waiting for an assessment through the service has fallen by 21% since the Mental Health Commission inspection, Community Healthcare adds.

“This progress would not have been possible without the commitment of staff working in the Camhs teams. HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare remains committed to further improving the Camhs service for the benefit of children and young people in Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary,” its statement concludes.

The Mental Health Commission inspected Camhs settings across the country.

On foot of the review, its inspector recommended the Mental Health Commission be given the power to regulate Camhs services.

At present, its staff only have the responsibility to regulate inpatient services.