HSE to publish findings of North Kerry CAMHS audit amid rising concerns

The HSE is due to publish the findings of the North Kerry CAMHS Audit ‘ 50 file review’ of North Kerry CAMHS patients’ files. The review began in June ’22 and was due to completion in October ‘22.

However, due to undisclosed circumstances, the review is expected to be released by the end of November ’22. Coleman Legal LLP, through its Tralee office, has recently been contacted by North Kerry families regarding urgent communications from CAMHS.

Considering what has transpired in South Kerry, families throughout North Kerry are extremely apprehensive regarding the recent CAMHS communication.

Coleman Legal are currently instructed by over 70 families from North Kerry regarding the treatment their loved ones have received. A distinct & similar pattern has emerged in all the treatments received by patients in South and North Kerry.

The following deficits in care were documented throughout South Kerry and have also occurred in North Kerry.

• Inadequate assessment to ensure a comprehensive diagnosis.
• Pharmacological intervention without a clear rationale.
• Polypharmacy
• Inadequate baseline monitoring.
• Inadequate monitoring throughout the care.
• Case lost to follow up.
• Inappropriate prescribing of medication without any justification or rationale for same.
• Insufficient talk therapy treatment.
• Missing medical records.

The significant number of instructions taken from families in North Kerry makes it clear that similar deficits in care have arisen in the care that children and young adolescents have received throughout North Kerry.

Coleman Legal have previously called for the geographical scope of the South Kerry Review & Compensation Scheme to be expanded & include North Kerry. Unfortunately, our proposals were rejected, and the HSE confirmed they were satisfied with the scope and would not be widening it.

Considering the information our office is receiving and the significant increase in contact from concerned North Kerry families, we expect the random review to raise serious concerns for the HSE.
We expect the HSE to commence a 15-year review of all North Kerry files.

We also expect, considering the similar HSE personnel involved in South & North Kerry, the HSE may also have to consider the timelines of the South Kerry review. From the instructions received by our offices, it is clear that the doctor treating the South Kerry patients is not solely responsible for the issues that arose in South Kerry.

It is extremely worrying that the particular doctor involved in all South Kerry files had no contact with North Kerry families, and similar shortcomings in care have arisen. Coleman Legal LLP has an experienced team in Tralee.

We expect several families to receive correspondence concerning HSE in the coming days and weeks, inviting them in for a reassessment or offering an apology for previous treatment. Ultimately, when the review is completed and the findings are published, we expect a significant retrospective review to commence in North Kerry (North Kerry CAMHS Audit).

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.