Row over psychiatric aid for suicidal teen resolved

DIFFICULTIES over the provision of psychiatric services to a troubled 16-year-old girl who twice tried to hang herself in recent days have been resolved, the High Court has heard.

Yesterday, lawyers for the HSE informed Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan that a consultant doctor who specialised in the area of young adults would now take on the girl as a patient. In addition, the HSE said cover would be provided if the need arose.

Lawyers acting for the girl, who is being detained on foot of a High Court order at a secure unit outside Dublin because she is at risk of self-harm, had expressed concerns to the court she was not getting adequate treatment because of a dispute over whether she should be assessed by adult or child services.

Catherine Ghent, solicitor for the teen’s court-appointed guardian, welcomed the fact that the girl’s situation had been addressed by the HSE.

Earlier, Ms Ghent informed the court of her concern about the provision of services for the girl following recent disturbing incidents. On two nights in a row, staff at the unit found the girl attempting to kill herself by tying a sheet around her neck.

The girl was taken to hospital, but because of her age there was a dispute over whether she should be assessed by either adult or child services.

Ms Ghent said the matter was raised before the High Court last month after the girl was involved in some “very serious” incidents in the secure unit.

After another incident, described in court as “a riot”, it was stated she had written on a wall: “You made me do it” and “the system is killing me”.

Ms Ghent said the teen was taken for assessment by adult psychiatric services following the discovery of a suicide note.

The girl was refused assessment on the basis that she is aged 16 and should be assessed by child services, Ms Ghent outlined. She said child assessment services had refused to assess the girl on grounds she should be assessed by adult services.

The girl was eventually assessed by a psychiatrist attached to child services after High Court proceedings were threatened. That psychiatrist concluded the girl was not likely to act on suicidal thoughts but should be monitored.

Yesterday, Sarah McKechnie BL for the HSE, said her client was “taking this matter very seriously”.

Counsel said the girl had been diagnosed with behavioural rather than psychiatric illnesses.

Ms McKechnie added that the girl had not engaged with the services being provided for her.