Local Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has said that “children in Laois-Offaly deserve better mental health services and should not have to wait long periods to access them.”
Deputy Stanley was speaking on legislation brought forward by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, to regulate Children and Adult Mental Health Service under the Mental Health Act.
During Tuesday’s Dáil debate, the Sinn Féin TD said:
“Children in Laois and Offaly deserve better mental health services. They should not have to wait to access mental health services.
“This is the first recommendation that was made by the Mental Health Commission in their report on CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and if passed would give the Commission the statutory powers to oversee and implement the remainder of their 49 recommendations.
“This will drive improvements, and help tackle waiting lists.”
Deputy Stanley said the Mental Health Commission’s report into CAMHS highlighted a number of issues, including “children lost to follow up, lack of monitoring of psychiatric medicines, unacceptable waiting times for high risk referrals and many more operational issues.”
The HSE divide the country into nine different zones, known as “Community Healthcare Organisations” (CHOs), with Laois in CHO8 along with Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Meath and Louth.
685 children are waiting to be seen by a CAHM service in CHO8 – an increase of 425 in the past three years according to Deputy Stanley.
The Laois TD says that almost 20% of those affected (115) have been waiting for over a year.
“CHO8 is the second worst area in the state for waiting times. We have also seen the unacceptable postcode lottery of care continue to exist with certain counties receiving a lower quality of care,” Deputy Stanley said.
“Children with a dual diagnosis of mental ill-health and an intellectual disability are falling through the cracks as are neurodiverse children.
“Parents, children and stakeholders have been highlighting the crisis in children’s mental health which has gotten worse under this Government.
“Sinn Féin have engaged with families and stakeholders. We have listened to their experiences. We are taking them seriously.
“This is the first step in tackling the crisis in children’s mental health and will lay the foundation to reduce waiting lists.
“The Minister has dragged her feet in this matter and now must support this legislation. This cannot be kicked down the road.
“Children in Laois and Offaly cannot wait any longer for the regulation of CAMHS.”
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