Parents 'distressed' at children's waiting lists, Mental Health Commission says

Mental Health Commission chairman Dr John Hillery said: “It is clear to us from the final report, which we endorse, that the current systems for Camhs services are simply not working.” File picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Parents are “frustrated, distressed” over long waiting lists for children’s mental health services and putting recommendations for reform into action cannot wait, the Oireachtas Health Committee has been told.

The committee also heard “the vast majority” of the 75 teams are not yet fully staffed in Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs).

Mental Health Commission (MHC) chairman Dr John Hillery said: “It is clear to us from the final report, which we endorse, that the current systems for Camhs services are simply not working.” 

He agreed with Social Democrats health spokeswoman, Roisin Shortall, the wide range of disconnected services can be confusing. Children can “end up on several waiting lists” he said, adding it is not always clear to parents or even GPs where children should go.

Overall access can be an obstacle, he said, with access for children with autism a particular difficulty. He told Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward some teams take one approach to these children while others take another.

He also told Senator Frances Black “the lack of a National Director for Mental Health has contributed to these difficulties” and this role would give more focus to reforms.

Dr Hillery and the new Inspector for Mental Health Services, Professor Jim Lucey, called for the Commission’s regulatory powers to be extended to Camhs. Their remit currently covers in-patient care for adults and children or “only around 1% of mental health services”, he explained.

He called for more “boots on the ground” saying professionals are reluctant to work on teams that are unlikely to be fully staffed. Many speakers raised concerns around burnout for staff.

Camhs teams with better governance find it easier to recruit and maintain staff, Dr Hillery told Senator Sean Kyne.

Prof. Lucey, who took up this role following the retirement of Dr Susan Finnerty, said “what is lacking is standard-setting”. He said there has been “substantial progress” across in-patient care, and called for similar improvements in community supports.

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David Walsh, HSE national director for community operations, apologised to parents and children affected by delays, saying it accepts the MHC’s findings. “In August this year, there were 3,891 children and young people waiting to be seen, a reduction of more than 400 compared to December 2022,” he said.

He said referrals between 2019 and last year increased by 16%, appointments offered increased by 10%. He called for continued investment.

He described “many, many vacancies” in Camhs and related primary care services, saying only one of the nine HSE regions is fully staffed.

In relation to South Kerry Camhs, the subject of a report by Dr Sean Maskey which revealed stark gaps in care, the committee heard “a blended approach” of telemedicine and a psychiatrist on site two days a week is being used.

Dr Amanda Burke, Camhs psychiatrist and National Clinical Lead for Child and Youth Mental Health said they have to be honest with parents and say for now they cannot provide a psychiatrist on site every day.