Children and young people accessing Child and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with open cases have been "lost" to follow-up care.
That's the finding of a new Inspector of Mental Health Service report which shows in one CHO there were 140 "lost" cases within the CAMHS team.
The report highlights evidence that some teams were not monitoring antipsychotic medication, in accordance with international standards.
Mental Health Commission Chief Executive, John Farrelly says this medication must be monitored:
"Medication is very helpful and needed for children. But when you put people on anti-psychotic medication - particularly children - you need to follow up in terms of their physical health because there can be side-effects from the medication.
"So, really what we want to do is make sure that any child who was on this medication, that the open files are reviewed and they get follow-up to make sure that they are safe and well."
In a statement to WLR News this morning, a spokesperson for the HSE/South East Community Healthcare (SECH) said they welcome the publication of this interim report on CAMHS services by the Commission.
They said SECH has "engaged fully in the review process" and they "wish to reassure the public that [SECH] is there to provide care and support to service users and their families and has dedicated teams of professionals in place to do so."
"As part of its mental health services across the community, the HSE/SECH operates eight generic CAMHS teams in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. All CAMHS teams in the South East are multidisciplinary in nature and are led by a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist – all of whom are on the Specialist Register."
"Young people and their families are entitled to expect a high standard of care when they attend our services and the HSE/South East Community Healthcare wish to reassure them that we have taken on board the recommendations in the report and shall use them to improve the services locally."
South East Community Healthcare is asking any family or young person who has a concern, to contact the HSE directly via the HSE Live Freephone: 1800 700 700.
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