The mental health minister has officially approved a scheme to provide compensation to children who were identified as having suffered harm while they were patients at North Kerry CAMHS.
Minister of State Mary Butler has approved the extension of the existing non-adversarial scheme for young people affected and their families.
The HSE has also announced that it’s commissioning a further file review relating to North Kerry CAMHS.
A look back report found a risk of potential harm to 209 children who received treatment at North Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
HSE South West has now commissioned a further review which extends to all cases up to November 21st, 2022.
The further file review will be directed specifically on areas where the potential for harm is deemed greatest.
It will focus on children and young people with a diagnosis of mental health and intellectual disability, as well as those prescribed neuroleptic (anti-psychotic) medication, receiving high dose psychotropic medication or where there is evidence of patients who were regularly on five or more medications at the same time (polypharmacy).
A serious incident management team, which will include patient representation, will oversee the further file review and the independent clinicians who will undertake the process.
Young people and their families whose files have been prioritised for review will be contacted by HSE South West. Individuals who fall outside the scope of the process and have concerns about their care can request for their file to be reviewed.
The Kerry CAMHS information line remains open 1800 700 700 or 01 240 87 87 Monday to Saturday.
Minister Norma Foley and Deputy Michael Cahill have welcomed the approval of the compensation scheme.
