Reports show ‘complete lack of governance’ across mental health system

A report released yesterday, conducted by Inspector of Mental Health Services, Dr Susan Finnerty, shows there 140 "lost" children, in one CHO [Community Health Organisation] alone — the MidWest. File picture

A cascade of critical reports has highlighted deficiencies in mental health services for children, but amongst the outrage, it is not wholly clear who is responsible for the gaps. 

Instead, there is a “complete lack of governance and leadership across the mental health systems” according to advocacy group Mental Health Reform (MHR). This comes as the HSE said on Monday that it expects to recruit a Mental Health Service Director and a Mental Health Lead for Children "very shortly".