North Kerry CAMHS: Status of the “Look-back” Review
The HSE commissioned a “Look-back Review” for North Kerry following a random audit in 2022 which raised concerns about prescribing practices and the standard of care provided to some children and young people.
The review, led by consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Colette Halpin, examined 374 files belonging to young people who were active with North Kerry CAMHS on 21 November 2022.
The final North Kerry CAMHS Lookback Review, also known as the Halpin Report, was published on 18 February 2026.
- File Reviews Complete: The original clinical review of the 374 files has been completed.
- Family Notification: The HSE shared the findings with the young people and families involved when the final report was published.
- Open Disclosure: The HSE has met with families who wished to participate in Open Disclosure meetings where a potential risk of moderate or major harm was identified.
- Further Review Underway: HSE South West has now begun a separate Phase 2 review covering a wider group of former North Kerry CAMHS patients.
You can also read our detailed update on the Halpin Report into North Kerry CAMHS.
The Final Halpin Report
The publication of the Halpin Report followed a lengthy delay after the individual clinical file reviews had been completed.
The final report was published by the HSE on 18 February 2026.
Of the 374 files reviewed, a potential risk of harm was identified in 209 cases.
The findings included:
- 195 cases involving a potential risk of moderate harm
- 12 cases involving a potential risk of minor harm
- 2 cases involving a potential risk of major harm
- No cases were classified as involving potential extreme harm
The report identified concerns including high levels of psychotropic medication prescribing, inadequate physical health assessment and monitoring, higher levels of polypharmacy and limited access to individual and family psychological therapies.
The HSE apologised to the young people and families affected by the findings.
Following publication of the report, the Government also approved a specific North Kerry CAMHS compensation scheme.
Read more about eligibility, applications and the current process on our dedicated Compensation Scheme for North Kerry CAMHS page.
The further North Kerry CAMHS review
Publication of the Halpin Report did not bring the North Kerry review process to an end.
HSE South West has commissioned a further clinically led file review extending beyond the original 374 active cases.
Phase 2 covers people who were treated and discharged by North Kerry CAMHS between 29 June 2014 and 18 November 2022, covering the period during which the HSE had governance of CAMHS Area B.
The HSE has said that the review will initially prioritise files where the potential risk of harm is considered greatest, including:
- Children and young people with a mental health disorder and intellectual disability
- Children and young people prescribed neuroleptic or antipsychotic medication
- Children and young people prescribed stimulant or non-stimulant ADHD medication
- Children and young people receiving high-dose psychotropic medication
- Cases where there is evidence of polypharmacy prescribing
A Serious Incident Management Team, which includes patient representation, is overseeing the further review.
People who were treated and discharged during the Phase 2 period but are not currently being prioritised can also ask the HSE to review their file if they have concerns about the care they received.
North Kerry vs. South Kerry (Maskey)
It is important to distinguish between the two investigations, particularly now that both reports have been published and compensation schemes exist for affected families.
| Feature | South Kerry (Maskey) | North Kerry (Halpin) |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Maskey Report published January 2022 | Halpin Report published February 2026 |
| Findings | Care of approximately 240 young people fell below the required standard; 46 suffered significant harm | 374 files reviewed; potential risk of harm identified in 209 cases |
| Further Review | Original Lookback Review completed | Phase 2 further file review currently underway |
| Compensation | Non-adversarial compensation scheme established | Compensation scheme extended to North Kerry on 26 March 2026 |
You can read more about the earlier findings on our South Kerry CAMHS Review page.
Compensation and Legal Redress
The position for North Kerry families has changed significantly since the publication of the Halpin Report.
On 26 March 2026, the Government approved the extension of the existing Kerry CAMHS compensation scheme to children and young people affected by deficits in care identified through the North Kerry review.
The scheme is administered by the State Claims Agency on behalf of the HSE.
The 209 young people identified through the original review as having been exposed to a potential risk of harm have been given access to the scheme.
Importantly, the Minister has also confirmed that young people subsequently identified as having suffered harm through the further file review will be able to enter the compensation scheme.
For full details on eligibility and how the scheme operates, see our North Kerry CAMHS Compensation Scheme page.
Nationwide Context
The issues identified in Kerry have formed part of wider concerns about the delivery and oversight of CAMHS services nationally.
The Mental Health Commission published its Independent Review of the Provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the State in 2023, identifying significant differences in how CAMHS services operated across the country.
The position has continued to develop.
Under the Mental Health Act 2026, the Mental Health Commission’s oversight will extend to community-based CAMHS services, including inspection, monitoring and enforcement.
The Mental Health Commission is also developing the State’s first dedicated National Standards for CAMHS. Draft standards were published for consultation in 2026 and final standards are expected to follow.
For more information on the wider issues affecting CAMHS nationally, see our CAMHS National Audit and CAMHS Reviews and Audits pages.
Next Steps
If you or your child were included in the original review, you should have received correspondence from the HSE.
If you are unsure whether your file is included in Phase 2, Coleman Legal LLP can contact the HSE on your behalf and confirm whether your file is due to be reviewed.
We are already assisting clients who were outside the original review and have requested that their files be considered.
Anyone treated and discharged by North Kerry CAMHS between 29 June 2014 and 18 November 2022 can request a review if they have concerns about the care received.
You can also read our dedicated Compensation Scheme for North Kerry CAMHS page for information on the current compensation process.
Working for many families in North Kerry
Coleman Legal LLP has been advising and representing North Kerry families for a number of years in relation to concerns about the care they or their children received through CAMHS.
From our instructions, similar concerns have arisen in relation to areas including medication management, monitoring, diagnosis and deficits in care.
Before the further review was announced, Solicitor and Partner at Coleman Legal LLP Keith Rolls repeatedly called for the scope of the North Kerry review to be extended beyond those whose files were active on 21 November 2022.
Speaking to reporter Barry Lenihan on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Keith highlighted concerns about former patients who had already completed their involvement with North Kerry CAMHS and therefore fell outside the original review.
He said: Unfortunately, many people remain outside that scope: those who recently completed North Kerry CAMHS services and those who completed two years ago.
Coleman Legal LLP had received instructions from adults, young adults and families whose files were not included in the original review, but who raised concerns about the care they had received.
The HSE has since extended the review process through Phase 2 to cover people treated and discharged between 29 June 2014 and 18 November 2022.
Following publication of the Halpin Report in February 2026, RTÉ reported that Keith Rolls represented over 100 clients directly affected by the contents of the North Kerry CAMHS report.
Coleman Legal LLP has also engaged with the HSE on behalf of clients who were not included in the original 374-file review and have requested that their care be considered.
If you or your child received care from North Kerry CAMHS and are unsure whether your file has been reviewed, or whether the compensation scheme may apply, you can contact our team to discuss your circumstances and the options available.
All enquiries are treated as private and confidential.
