Families experiencing Postcode Lottery in mental health services – Browne

Fianna Fáil Mental Health spokesperson James Browne TD says he’s horrified by new information which reveals that some parts of the country currently have less than half the recommended number of staff required for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Figures supplied to Deputy Browne in response to a Parliamentary Question reveal a postcode lottery for mental health services.

“Two Community Healthcare Organisation areas, CHO 5 and CHO 7 have less than half the staff needed. CHO 5 which covers the South East (Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary) has just 44% of the recommended clinical staff”, said Deputy Browne.

“CHO 7, which comprises Kildare, Dublin South West, Dublin West and Dublin South City, has 43% of the clinical staff required. This is the biggest CHO area in the country and together with CHO 5 makes up almost a quarter of the population.

“The criteria for staff numbers is based on the recommendations of the 2006 mental health strategy, A Vision for Change. Nationally some 57% of the personnel required are in place. Thirteen years on this is totally inadequate.

“Long waiting lists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health services stem from the fact that the CAMHS service has barely over half the staff required. The recent annual report from the Mental Health Commission highlighted the ongoing deficiencies in mental health services for children and indeed services generally. What is needed is a clear implementation strategy to bring CAMHS services up to scratch.

“Next Tuesday in the Dáil, Fianna Fáil is using its Private Members time for a debate on mental health services, and the state of children’s services features strongly in our motion.

“A new sense of urgency needs to be brought to addressing the deficits in children’s services in particular. Otherwise the requirements set out by A Vision for Change will never be realised”, concluded Deputy Browne.