CAMHS progress as psychiatrist finally appointed
A FULL-TIME psychiatrist started work with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in South Wexford yesterday (Monday).
The move will be welcomed by those working in the area of child mental health and by campaigners concerned at the delay in filling the vacancy.
The position had been vacant since the resignation of Dr Kieran Moore some 18 months ago. He cited under-staffing, burnout and facilities that are utterly unfit for purpose as reasons for his decision to quit.
A move of CAMHS services from Slaney House on the Newtown Road in Wexford to Arden House in the Whitemill Industrial Estate has been mooted since 2017. It was recently revealed that the HSE has paid over €225,000 in rent on the vacant building in this period, and it has now been confirmed that this move is due to take place by next month.
Both announcements were welcomed, but with some caution by many of those who have been advocating for the services.
They pointed out that the announcements came in the week of an election and that previously, in the build-up to the by-election in November of last year, it had been promised that Arden House would be open by the year’s end.
In correspondence with Paul Kehoe, Minister for Health Simon Harris stated, ‘I can confirm that there is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist commencing in the South Wexford CAMHS service on Monday. I know the delay has been a source of great frustration for the people of Wexford, but finally we have confirmation of the new psychiatrist and the start date. I know they will be welcomed in Wexford with open arms.’