'A serious concern': Fewer than 60% of beds for children with serious psychiatric illnesses being used

The cutbacks were due to be reversed by September 2022, but have remained in place because of the ongoing shortage of psychiatric nurses and other medical and therapeutic staff.

Fewer than 60% of the beds available for children with serious psychiatric illnesses are being used, HSE figures show.

The number of inpatient beds in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs) was cut almost two years ago from 72 to 51 as a result of chronic staff shortages.