College Press Statements 2023

The Guide for Educational Supervisors, launched today, is underpinned by The Irish Medical Council ‘Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics 8th edition 2019. The Guide, along with this one-day inaugural conference for supervisors, provides support and relevant information to help a supervisor to fulfil their role.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has today (Tuesday) warned the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying that the unequal distribution of palliative care services, a dearth of psychological and psychiatric supports available to people with challenging health journeys, and insufficient research in end-of-life care in Ireland cannot continue.

The College abhors all violence and conflict and is deeply concerned for all those tragically affected by violent attacks in Israel and Palestine and the humanitarian crisis that continues to escalate in Gaza and surrounding areas in the Middle East.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has dismissed Budget 2024 as a “backward step” for the provision of mental health treatment in Ireland, adding the current level of funding and resourcing would lead to increased doctor burnout and, ultimately, negative impacts on patients.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned that soaring rates of doctor burnout and stress are having a “hugely negative impact” on patient care in Ireland.
It said that radical plans for both doctor recruitment and doctor retention in mental health services and a significant increase in mental health spending were needed as urgent priorities to ease the pressure on overworked medical professionals in our mental health services and, as a result, improve patient outcomes.

The College welcomes the publication of the findings of this report which will provide reassurance to children and their parents/guardians attending CAMHS around the country that levels of prescribing in CAMHS are safe and appropriate.

The College of Psychiatrists welcomes the publication of the Mental Health Commission’s review of CAMHS report published today (26th July 2023), which identifies the serious and ongoing challenges that staff working in CAMHS and the children and families seeking support of CAMHS have faced.  The College further calls for urgent action to address serious deficits in resourcing and basic administrative and management structures in CAMHS.

Following the announcement of the new Clinical Lead role as part of the recommendations arising from the Maskey Report, the College commends Minister Mary Butler in the successful funding and delivery of this post, one which will be crucial in ensuring there is a clinically led, strategic and targeted vision for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) into the future.

Following the announcement of the second strand of the €5 million pilot programme this week, the College of Psychiatrists welcomes the imminent roll-out of targeted, responsive wellbeing and mental health supports at primary school level.

Following collaboration with the HSE Dual Diagnosis National Clinical Programme, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland welcomes the publication and roll-out of the Model of Care for People with Mental Disorder and Co-existing Substance Use Disorder.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland strongly condemns the conflict that has erupted in Sudan and appeals for a permanent ceasefire to protect its citizens and Irish-based doctors currently in the country.

The President of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has said that the Government’s inability to adequately recruit and retain consultant psychiatrists is “extremely worrying” and has a serious impact on junior doctors in training.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned that proposed aspects of the Sale of Alcohol Bill (2022) will have a hugely negative effect on people’s mental health and should be reconsidered in consultation with medical professionals as a priority.

Welcoming the report, the College calls for urgent and emergency action to address too many and concerning shortfalls and inadequate actions in CAMHS and other areas of Ireland’s Mental Health Service.