Boy (12) waiting for psych care since May

FF Cllr hits out at mental health waiting lists

KERRY-BASED Fianna Fáil TDs and Councillors have hit out at the length of waiting lists for primary care psychology appointments in Kerry for children and adolescents – with Cllr John Francis Flynn revealing how the mother of a 12-year-old Kerry boy with suicidal tendencies has approached him to highlight her son’s case.

HSE figures revealed that 225 young people in Kerry were waiting for primary care psychology appointments at the end of June, and more than 50 had been waiting for over a year.

Cllr John Francis Flynn has hit out at the figures and stated that, despite what are obvious mental health concerns, the boy in question had yet to see a primary care psychologist since being referred by a GP in May.

“This boy has suicidal tendencies and needs immediate help,” Cllr Flynn said this week, adding that he had contacted the HSE but was informed that the boy may be waiting for “a year or so”.

“The stress of this situation has taken its toll on this mother too, as you can understand. There are well over 200 young people waiting in a similar way in this county, and this is no way for people to be treated.”

Kerry TD John Brassil said the waiting list figures released recently point to a mental health services crisis for children in Kerry

“The fact that almost one in four children waiting for an appointment in the county have been on a list for over a year should act as a wakeup call to Minister [of State Jim] Daly,” Deputy Brassil said. “It’s simply unacceptable that so many should wait so long. Vulnerable children and teenagers need this service and we have an obligation to provide it.”

The HSE said it acknowledges and regrets such waiting times and is working to address them.

“We are glad to confirm that a significant recruitment campaign is about to begin for psychologists and assistant psychologists for the primary care service,” a spokesperson said.

“There are currently ‘1.8’ primary care psychologist posts in Kerry. The ‘.8’ post became vacant in recent months and recruitment is underway.

“In addition to this recruitment, we are glad to confirm that Cork Kerry Community Healthcare successfully applied for and secured funding for additional staff for the service.

“Thanks to this funding, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is to recruit another psychologist and two assistants for Kerry. We are hopeful this investment in staff will help redress the balance of posts per head of population.”

“A young person presenting with moderate to several mental health issues will be referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Urgent cases are offered an emergency or priority appointment, and no young people in Kerry are waiting for an urgent CAMHS appointment.”

Cllr John Francis Flynn