CAMHS in North Kerry review delayed until 2025, angering families

CAMHS in North Kerry is facing a new wave of anger after the HSE revealed that the service review is not expected to be complete until at least 2025. To commence work on the review, the HSE needed to examine approximately 300 individual CAMHS files. This process was scheduled to finish before January of this year. However, the initial examination is still underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Aside from the significant delays, the fact that the Lookback Review will only consider 300 files is also frustrating for CAMHS service users. Only matters ongoing on November 21, 2022, will be investigated, even though children in their thousands have been treated at CAMHS in North Kerry. Pa Daly, TD for the Kerry constituency, has previously expressed disapproval of the limited scope of the review, especially since the South Kerry CAMHS review looked at the files of 1,500 service users. Urging the HSE to increase the number of files included, he also pointed out that this drawn-out process further compounds the harm done to these families. As a redress scheme has already been created for affected families in South Kerry, he is encouraging the Government to immediately absorb the North Kerry families who have received an apology into the scheme. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, as every day of delay prolongs the suffering of these families.

Coleman Legal now represents 100 families who have been harmed by their experience with CAMHS in North Kerry. Reacting to this further setback for those seeking answers, solicitor Keith Rolls has described the situation as “distressing” for his clients. He was surprised at the extent of the delays, stating, “Considering only 300 files are currently being reviewed, the number of apologies issued to date is staggering. We expect this may be one of the reasons why the review has been delayed.” Mr Rolls also confirmed that numerous families are still waiting to find out whether their child is one of the many service users CAMHS has harmed.

Davin Godfrey, a former patient of CAMHS, has now launched a High Court case for the harm he suffered while attending the service. Despite his treatment period falling outside the relevant dates, he has battled for his file to be reviewed. Davin was informed via a letter from the HSE that the review “is taking longer than initially anticipated.” These delays were attributed to the fact that “a robust review” would take longer and that “it is important that the files of every young person would get a thorough and consistent review.” The review of all files is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2024.

The review into CAMHS in North Kerry commenced in the wake of the shocking revelations surrounding practices at South Kerry CAMHS detailing the prescription of unnecessary antipsychotic drugs to children and numerous failures in diagnosing mental illnesses. Davin was one of the CAMHS users who was put on several medications with extreme side effects, even though he had not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. At the height of his medication, he was taking six different drugs. Expanding on some of the side effects he endured, he described an increase in appetite, weight gain, pains in his chest and an overall blunting of his emotions and cognition.

Davin initially engaged with CAMHS when he was diagnosed with autism. In response, he was put on an antipsychotic, Risperidone, along with several other medications. It was subsequently advised that Davin should be weaned off Risperidone, but he continued to be prescribed it for a further five years, totalling 42 prescriptions. Expressing his frustration with the HSE response, he pointed out that 300 files is a relatively small number but takes an unreasonable amount of time. He believes the HSE has breached its legal duties towards service users in failing to appreciate the real magnitude of the issues. He feels the failures throughout the process have amounted to an infringement on affected people’s human rights.

Coleman Legal and their clients have attended several “open disclosure” meetings arranged by the HSE. Many apologies were received during these meetings, but the HSE declined to disclose the exact figures. In a statement by the HSE, they noted that they cannot share specific information regarding the reviews before the process has concluded. However, they have assured the public that they are keeping in direct contact with those affected, who are their priority now. The statement declined to confirm whether there will be further stages of review following the initial examination, stating that this will depend on the report’s findings.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any concerns regarding the care you or your family has received while attending Kerry CAMHS. Free phone 1800-844-104 or email us [email protected]