Ireland is one of the “worst countries in the world” for the digitalisation of child mental health services, the State’s Inspector of Mental Health Services has said. 

Dr Susan Finnerty conducted a review into the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and found the IT system to monitor patient records fell well below standards expected in 2023.

“In the report you can see a graph of how ready we were for clinical files to be electronic and we’re not ready at all,” she said.

“We’re one of the worst countries.”

Dr Finnerty also said she had concluded that she could not in good faith "provide an assurance to all parents in Ireland that their children have access to a safe, effective and evidence-based mental health service."

“In a number of areas, no they’re not an adequate service for various reasons,” she said.

“Including lack of staff, lack of corporate governance, difficulty in accessing [services] due to geographical areas.”

Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, Mental Health Commission CEO John Farrelly said the report’s findings were shocking.

“What stands out is that comment by the inspector that she cannot, after a year’s work looking in depth… cannot provide assurance to all parents that their children will have access to a safe and effective service,” he said.

Mr Farrelly said the findings underline that the quality of care children receive is particularly poor in rural Ireland.

“Waiting times are double in some areas than in other areas,” he said.

“The money invested in South Dublin, for example, if you’re lucky enough to have a child there [is] €125 per capita invested.

“But if you live in Wexford or Waterford or some places down the country, it’s only €60.

“From my view… I think we can nip this in the bud but only if people take this seriously at the highest level of the State and the HSE.

“Don’t try and tweak around the edges but rebuild a service that’s fit for service.”

M4AK57 Depression, social isolation, loneliness, mental health and discrimination concept. Sad, lonely, depressed and unhappy man. Hooded person sitting.

The report contains 49 recommendations - including the urgent need for the HSE to put together a “comprehensive strategy for CAMHS and all other mental health services”.

Mr Farrelly said if the recommendations are acted on then the service “can turn things around”.

“But I also believe that we need to have a sea change in our mentality about children; they have human rights [and] they’re entitled to those rights,” he said.

This year, the Government allocated €1.2 billion in funding for mental health services.

Main image: Mental health concept.