CHAIRPERSON of the Regional Health Forum (RHF) West has described it as a “scandal” that children in Donegal with a physical or mental disability are “being denied proper health” by the government.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle was speaking after receiving responses to two questions he posed at the latest RHF West meeting.
The questions were in relation to the scarcity of respite beds and the vacant consultant post in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for a Mental Health Intellectual Disability Consultant.
“For far too long now parents and advocacy groups have been campaigning for better services for their children with a very limited response from Government.
“The lack of respite beds in Donegal is putting immense pressure on families. The responses I received to my questions last week whilst giving some hope of extra beds sometime in the future the language used was very cautious,” he said.
Cllr McMonagle, pictured below, added that the current CAMHS service is understaffed and under resourced with two many vacant posts, leaving children, some in acute psychological distress, having to wait months for appointments.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY
He said it is a “scandal” that whilst children in Donegal await the proposed appointment of a Temporary Mental Health Intellectual Disability Consultant there is no alternative service being provided for them elsewhere and no further referrals are being accepted until the consultant post is filled.
“This is a very serious issue for many families and it is fast becoming a national emergency.
“It is quite clear to all those who work in the sector and those who try to avail of the service that there is a need for serious reform of governance and management of our Children’s Mental Health Service.
“Mental health cannot be fixed with a plaster.
“Prolonged delay worsens mental health illness and increases the likelihood of crisis presentations.
“The Government must invest more in our mental health services.
“The HSE should be adequately funded to fill all the current vacant posts and an easy to access pathway to care should be implemented. Our children deserve no less.”
