College Press Statements 2022

The Chair of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Learning Disability of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has said there are profound difficulties with services for adults with intellectual disability throughout the country.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned that Government failings on mental health are putting patients’ lives at risk, and that a radical overhaul of the entire system is needed as an urgent priority.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has today warned the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health that the current iteration of the Heads of Bill with proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act (2001) are unacceptable and unworkable in practice, and may potentially prevent seriously ill people from getting the treatment they need.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (College of Psychiatrists) has called on the Government to urgently implement a series of recommendations in mental health services in response to the publication of the Maskey report into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in South Kerry, and has warned that root and branch reform is needed to address multiple systemic failings in the system.

Following the publication of a report by the HSE into South Kerry CAMHS (published 26th January 2022), the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland urges families and guardians who obtain an appointment for CAMHS to ask the following questions to ensure the best possible care.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has said that the inappropriate prescription of multiple medications to young mental health patients at South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a highly disturbing and distressing case which demands accountability.