HSE respond to claims that Donegal has highest waiting list for Youth Mental Health Services

 

The HSE has responded to claims made earlier this week that Donegal has the most patients waiting a year a more for appointments in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
In a statement, the HSE say that Donegal has approximately 43,800 people under the age of 18 years. This is 42% ( 103,500 ) of all those under 18 living in Community Health Organisation Area 1 which includes counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan & Sligo.
Between January and June 2016, Donegal Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) saw a total of 218 new cases – 61 % of all those seen across CHO1
In June 2016, Donegal CAMHS saw a total of 28 new cases – 62 % of all those seen across CHO1.
At the end of June, Donegal CAMHS had waiting list of 138 or 30% of the total CHO1 waiting list.
All referrals once received are prioritised and those deemed most urgent are seen with 3 months.
Therefore on a per capita CHO1 wide basis, Donegal CAMHS has the smallest waiting list.
In relation to the query on whether or not the Senior Psychiatrist’s position for under 18s has yet to be filled the HSE has stated that currently there are two consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists in post for Donegal.
To clarify the Addictions Counsellor retired in June 2016 and there is a vacancy for this position. This counsellor had the responsibility for young people (15-24 yrs) with addictions problems. The HSE is currently recruiting a replacement. In the meantime, additional resources have been allocated to the addictions service to manage the 18-24 cohort.