Kerry Camhs scandal '100% a systems failure', committee told

IMO chief executive Susan Clyne said what had taken place in Kerry may well be replicated across services, and not just limited to those in mental health, following a decade of austerity that had been predated by more than a decade of inattention to mental health services. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Irish Medical Organisation has said what happened in South Kerry Camhs was not a shock and "100% a systems failure".

Speaking to the Oireachtas sub-committee on mental health, the IMO's chief executive Susan Clyne said the inability of the Irish health system to hire sufficient people in senior roles, particularly at consultant level, meant it was unattractive to newly-qualified personnel who were being "headhunted" by other countries.