North Kerry CAMHS prescribing review
Deputy McGreehan says the north Kerry CAMHS findings show serious harm and urges national prescribing safeguards after describing a long-term risperidone case. The Tánaiste says the independent national audit did not find the same deficits elsewhere but agrees broader standards should be reviewed.
The findings of the north Kerry CAMHS look-back review are deeply concerning. Potential for harm was identified in respect of over 200 children’s files. Behind each number is a child and family who trusted the State. In too many cases, their trust was not upheld. While the review relates to Kerry, the prescribing safeguards must be a national priority.
A young man recently came to me about his experience. He was prescribed risperidone at just seven years of age and remained on it for 15 years, with increasing doses and without any adequate clinical monitoring. He experienced significant weight gain and serious mood difficulties. He is now off the medication, thankfully, and his life has improved dramatically but his story raises serious questions about oversight and monitoring. The drug has a legitimate clinical role but the evidence shows that it was not just in Kerry that situations like this arose. We need more investment in primary care mental health services to intervene early and to have stronger supports, particularly for children with dual diagnoses, who are falling through too many gaps in the system. Their cases are very complex and the risks are far greater.
I want a review of the national prescribing audit, accounting for safety and standards, as the audit has highlighted areas of improvement in processes and monitoring, and to ensure the recommendations arising from the audit result in an improvement to governance, care and medication monitoring.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this and for her considered contribution on it. The first thing I want to say, which the relevant Minister of State, Deputy Butler, would also want me to say, is that the independent national prescribing audit did not identify the fundamental care deficits elsewhere nationally, but that is not the point the Deputy is making. I just wanted to say that because it is important. The Deputy is making a broader point, namely that we need to review the standards more generally. That is certainly worth considering. We are very fortunate that the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is passionate about and committed to this area. I will ask her to reflect on what the Deputy said and revert to her directly.