There is 'something wrong' with CAMHS, with families feeling let down 'quite regularly'.

That's according to Newstalk Breakfast host Ciara Kelly, who was speaking following a new report into the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services of the HSE.

The interim report of an independent review found that some children have not been offered follow-up appointments, and others did not get advice about medication or appointments to review their prescriptions.

The report found large numbers of ‘lost’ cases – with some children not offered appointments for up to two years.

In one catchment area, there were 140 ‘lost’ cases reported and there is evidence that teams in some areas were not monitoring antipsychotic medication, in accordance with international standards.

'Cinderellas of the health service'

Ciara said there are legacy issues that have to be looked at.

"I'd love to say I'm surprised - I'm not", she said.

"I was 20 years as a doctor, and two of those years I spent working in psychiatry - not CAMHS - I worked in the adult psychiatry service.

"I think it is under-resourced, but I think we have legacy issues.

"I think our mental health patients have always been sort of the Cinderellas of the health service.

"I think there's an issue around all of that.

"This is an awful thing to say: I think about other areas of the health service where I sent patients.

"Patients would come back and say 'BreastCheck was fabulous' or 'I went into hospital and had my surgery, it was great'.

"We do hear good stories; I'm not sure I ever heard a single, good story and that's the truth about CAMHS.

"That's the truth about CAMHS - it is a service that families felt let down by quite regularly.

"I don't like kicking aspects of the health service, I know many, many good people out there working.

"There is something wrong here," she added.