An urgent review into care received by children and young people in South Kerry is being carried out.
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare will review the care received by those who attended the South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services between 2016 and 2020.
The HSE is reviewing the files of over 1,500 child and adolescent mental health service patients amid concerns some were prescribed dangerously excessive amounts of medication.
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare says a clinical team this week began what is called a ‘look-back process’.
It will be led by a medical consultant in child psychiatry so that it has the necessary external, independent oversight.
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare says that most of children will have received appropriate care and clinical interventions, however, it’s important to review all cases from this time period.
It’s reassuring young people and their families in South Kerry that a CAMHS consultant has been in direct contact with any young person (or their family) where concerns have been raised to date, and this process will continue as the review is undertaken.
As the team review cases and files, any urgent issues will be dealt with immediately.
In order to address some of these concerns as quickly as possible, the HSE has set up a helpline on 1800-742-800.
This helpline will open at 11am this morning.
