Ferris Describes Mental Health Waiting Lists For Children And Adolescents In Kerry As ‘Unacceptable’

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Martin Ferris.

Deputy Martin Ferris.

SINN Féin Deputy for Kerry, Martin Ferris, has described as “unacceptable”, the waiting lists for appointments in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Kerry and nationwide.

Figures released by the HSE to the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Health show the area covering Kerry and much of Cork to have to have the highest number on these waiting lists in the State and he expressed his grave concern at the situation.

Deputy Ferris has said that the waiting lists, coupled with the inadequate levels of staffing across CAMHS are indicative of an area not given sufficient priority.

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“The figures released to Sinn Féin shine a light on the critical issue of gaps in mental health services and supports for children and young people, including staff shortages in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS),” he said.

“CHO Area 4, which covers Kerry LHO, North Cork LHO, North Lee LHO, South Lee LHO and West Cork CHO, has the highest number on waiting lists across the State (552). It also has the second highest number in the state waiting for a CAMHS appointment for more than 12 months (68). Allied to this is the fact that in 2015, the area only had 50.2% of the CAMHS teams staffing as recommended in a vision for change. This is unacceptable. This needs to be addressed urgently,” he said.

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Waiting list figures for appointments in the State. CHO 4 covers Kerry and parts of Cork.

“Access to mental health services for children and young people is clearly severely restricted when we consider the waiting lists that currently exist,” he continued.

“A cursory glance at the figures shows that mental healthcare is not being prioritised as it should for this cohort, not least because of the waiting lists that exist but also because of the staffing levels across the community healthcare organisations (CHOs). The Minister needs to increase staffing and services to ensure these waiting lists are dealt with. The CAMHS teams must be resourced sufficiently and we need to ensure that the additional staff needed are employed,” said the Deputy.

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