Child problems must be tackled early, say experts

CHILDREN with serious behavioural problems account for almost two thirds of referrals to child psychiatric services — prompting a call from medical experts for early intervention.

If there were more specialist services to tackle the difficulties at an early age, behaviour problems could be tackled far more effectively, the co-ordinator of an award winning project said last night.

The Parents Plus Programme, run by the Mater Hospital’s department of child and family psychiatry, last night won a category prize at the Derek Dockery Awards for innovation in health services in the eastern region.