Taoiseach says ‘harm has been done’ in North Kerry youth mental health service

The Taoiseach has criticised “absolutely unacceptable” harm caused in the treatment of children accessing mental health services in Kerry.

A HSE-commissioned independent report into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in North Kerry is due to be published on Wednesday.

It came after concerns were raised about services in the area following the 2022 Maskey Review into South Kerry CAMHS.

On Wednesday, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dail that families in North Kerry “have waited years for answers” about treatment provided to them.

Ms McDonald said: “The distressing findings of that report into the care of vulnerable children by South Kerry CAMHS provoked shock and public anger at the time.

“That investigation revealed that children in crisis were subjected to harm, that there were serious deficiencies in care, a total lack of oversight, and children being over-prescribed medications.

“These negligent prescribing practices had devastating consequences, which included psychological distress, cognitive impairment, considerable weight gain, excess sedation and high blood pressure.”

During Leaders’ Questions, Ms McDonald said she had met affected families who outlined the “devastation this caused to their lives”.

She said: “One heartbroken father told me how he dreamed of his son striding the pitch of Croke Park, who is a fine young footballer, but following the lad’s treatment by CAMHS, his father is left wondering if his son would ever be even able to watch a match, not to mind have a pint or a friend.

“And this father, like so many other parents, is filled with guilt for trusting a system that failed their children.

“Today, the full story of what was done to children and young people in the care of North Kerry CAMHS has been brought to light and the findings of this report seem damning.”

Ms McDonald, acknowledging that the the HSE had already issued apologies to more than half of those whose files were examined, also referenced the case of one woman in Tralee who said her daughter’s life had been “devastated” by the treatment she received.

The Sinn Fein leader said the teenage girl had been diagnosed with depression and PTSD and she was prescribed antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anti psychotic medication without an appropriate assessment, clear rationale for the medication, and a “complete absence in monitoring of the impact” of the drugs.

“This is just one family of hundreds and just one area. These young people were in crisis. They reached out for help, and they were failed.”

The case was featured in an RTE interview on Wednesday.

Asked by Ms McDonald if the Government had established if the issue was more widespread, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “The minister – after the situation in South Kerry – commissioned a National Audit, and the HSE prescribing audit, or the Mental Health Commission, they have not identified they’re sorry they have not identified any concerns related to prescribing practice in services outside of Kerry.”

Mr Martin said the RTE interview contained a “harrowing account” relating to over-medication, a lack of multidisciplinary approach, and a lack of complementary therapies.

The Taoiseach said there would be “a need for an extended look back in terms of absolute certainty for all cases”, adding that a referral over the issues had been made to the Medical Council.

He told the Dail: “The first principle of medicine is: do no harm. Harm has been done here in terms of the treatment of quite a number of young people in North Kerry.”

Mr Martin added: “The HSE series incident team was established to deal with this. This is absolutely unacceptable. The same approach would be taken with all the families involved, as was taken in terms of South Kerry.”