Boy with autism awarded €130k for treatment by South Kerry Camhs that 'left him worse off'

Last year, a look back review of the care of 1,300 young people who attended the HSE-run South Kerry Camhs over a four-year period took place. File picture

A 15-year-old boy with autism, who it was determined was let down and badly treated by South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the past, has been awarded €130,000.

It is the highest award so far against the HSE related to the care provided by the South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs). 

It was one of four cases before the High Court on Friday for approval of determinations after mediation and a settlement under the State compensation scheme which was set up last year after the controversy over the care provided by South Kerry Camhs was revealed.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved three determinations by the mediator amounting to a total of €250,000 and one €92,000 settlement.

Counsel for the teenager who was awarded €130,000, David Sutton SC instructed by Dan O’Connor solicitor, told the court it is the highest award so far in these cases and represents the full value of the case.

Mediator Hugh Mohan SC in his report to the court on the case of the now 15-year-old boy who has ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorder said he was first referred to Camhs in late 2017. 

A consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist in a report prepared earlier this year said the boy was inappropriately treated with an antipsychotic drug for one-and-a-half years and another drug for the same amount of time. 

The child's mother, Mr Mohan said, reported that her son's mood and attitude changed considerably over this period of time “when he went from a happy smiley kid to a zombie-like state.” His school principal also reported that he would constantly have to wake him up.

The boy, Mr Mohan said, was somebody who undoubtedly had some issues and in an attempt to deal with them he sought treatment which “left him much worse off.” 

“He was in a very vulnerable situation and far from getting help, he was let down and badly treated," the mediator concluded in his determination. He also said that instead of being monitored and overseen, the boy was “ignored and treated very poorly over a prolonged period of time.” 

Today's other cases

In another case before the court which was also the subject of a determination, a 15-year-old boy was awarded €40,000 for the care he received at South Kerry Camhs.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that in another sad case involving a now-teenage girl a determination for €80,000 had been made. Mr Sutton SC said it involved inappropriate prescription and the young girl had been treated in a “very unpleasant brusque way.” 

In the fourth case before the court, a settlement of €92,000 was approved for the now 16-year-old boy in a case around his prescription of an anti-psychotic drug as well as a general lack of care.

Approving the determinations and settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey wished all the young people the best for the future.

Last year, a look back review of the care of 1,300 young people who attended the HSE-run South Kerry Camhs over a four-year period took place. It described the treatment of hundreds of children received from a doctor working in mental health on South Kerry as “risky” and found proof of significant harm to 46 children.