60% of psychiatrists in Kerry Camhs working remotely

Cahms

About 60% of psychiatrists working in Kerry children’s mental health services only offer remote treatment, the HSE admitted, as families see little change despite a series of critical reports.

During a tense sitting of the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday, examples of children in Kerry, Galway, and elsewhere struggling to access mental health help were shared.

Questions were also raised over why Families for Reform of Camhs had previously reported so little evidence of improvement to the committee, despite multiple reports on child and adolescent mental health services dating back to 2022.

The committee heard it has been difficult to recruit full-time psychiatrists for Kerry.

Julie O’Neill, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Kerry, HSE South West described arrangements they have made instead. 

Pressed by Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane on numbers, she said the equivalent of 3.7 roles are funded. These are filled by seven people. “None of those are permanent,” she said, describing how “the majority” are being filled remotely.

One consultant does three weeks of telemedicine remote appointments and one week in Kerry.

Asked how many psychiatrists never go on-site, she said: “probably 60% of them”.

Dr Amanda Burke, the HSE national clinical lead, child and youth mental health said: “On behalf of the HSE, I wish to apologise to those who have experienced shortcomings in accessing our services.” 

Some €7m in funding is available for service improvement this year.

Fine Gael senator Mike Kenneally described the latest report on the north Kerry services as “damning” and “very hurtful”.

He raised questions about claims of clear evidence in reforms since 2022.

“A 14-year old autistic child, recently diagnosed with anorexia was admitted to UHK (University Hospital Kerry) for a prolonged period,” he said, explaining how this family told him of “significant gaps in appropriate care”. 

They told him the hospital did not have autism supports and lacked access to a pediatric psychologist, among other issues.

“This left the family sourcing care outside the county” — even though their child was in hospital, he said.

HSE South West regional executive officer Andy Phillips said: “We have some of the longest waiting lists, waiting times in the country in our Camhs services.

“That’s something we are absolutely determined to resolve.” 

He said: “I wouldn’t say it’s entirely down to staffing." 

Mr Phillips said there are differences between teams’ work-rates and a need to work more closely with GPs, adding that  “the big deficit” is in psychiatrist numbers. He pledged to address this.

Fianna Fáil TD and GP Martin Daly described how a child living on the border of Galway and Roscommon was bounced between Camhs, primary care, and his GP office multiple times without getting help.

Dr Burke said: “I agree with you, it’s unacceptable that child was sent back to you.” 

Under the new system, she said: “If Camhs thinks the child also needs to be seen by the CDNT (children’s disability network teams) or by somebody else, it does not go back to you (as a GP).

“It goes through the clinical triage form till it is accepted by the other agency, and then you will receive a letter to say exactly what we’re doing with your patient.”