Call for action now on mental health

COUNCILLORS called for an expert to be invited to the Wexford County Council chamber to help them to determine the extent of the mental health crisis in the county and ways to address it.

The Southeast Community Health Services responded to a letter sent from Wexford County Council on August 9 regarding the lack of a child psychiatrist in the county.

They received the following response: ‘I would like to confirm that every possible option is being pursued in order to recruit Paediatric Consultant Psychiatrists to the area. Advertisements have been placed in journals both nationally and internationally to fill the posts on a temporary basis, pending the filling of the posts on a permanent basis through the Public Appointment Service.

‘All medical agencies on the SLA Framework for agency staff have been contacted to determine if they can provide locum cover. A locum arrangement has been put in place with other community health organisations whereby the Consultant Paediatric Psychiatrists hold clinics on Saturday and Sunday in Wexford. The South East Community Healthcare Mental Health Service Management team are also engaging with the private sector exploring options.’

Cllr Tom Forde said he was very disappointed with the response from Southeast Community Health Services.

Chairperson Cllr Keith Doyle said a sub committee of councillors needed to be formed to drive the campaign forward.

Cllr John Fleming said: ‘We have no child psychiatrist in County Wexford. We only have someone coming in from Galway at weekends. Mental health starts at 14 and for the majority of kids can’t get help at that stage even in urgent cases.’

Cllr Doyle said the council can’t advance their case further without getting accurate details from an expert.

‘We have had lengthy discussions on this. We need a consultant to come in to tell us exactly where we are with mental health,’ Cllr Doyle said.

Cllr John Hegarty said bringing someone who has resigned from his position to take up another position in child psychiatry elsewhere is ill advised.

Cllr Doyle said the sub committee can report back to the chamber.