CAHMS Waiting List In Cork — Grim Picture Continues

The scandal of children on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) waiting lists in Cork continues with hundreds of children waiting for treatment.

That’s according to Aontú’s Becky Kealy who is standing in Kanturk LEA.

“Our constitution says to Cherish All The Children Of The Nation Equally …these poor children are clearly NOT being cherished”

“There seems to be no end to the waiting times for children who need this. Latest figures revealed by the HSE show there are 1,003 in the CHO4 region which covers Cork. 201 of these have been waiting for more than three months, 168 waiting for some six months and 323 waiting for more than a year. These are the most recent official figures as of February of this year. However, I am being told by parents I am meeting on the doors that the real figures could be much higher”.

“I’m desperately concerned about these children who are vulnerable as it is, and I fear that lives could be lost as a result. How many children die while on the waiting list each year? No child should be left waiting over a year for such necessary assessment and intervention. My heart goes out to these children and their families – I personally know of cases where a child’s condition regresses, due to the waiting length as the poor child has been left in limbo. It is a well-known fact that without support or treatment, some children become withdrawn from life, friends and school”.

“Children struggling with depression suffer from many symptoms including difficulties with sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration. These can lead to them struggling with schoolwork and falling behind academically. Then then sadly become withdrawn and as a result, disconnected from friends and peers. When left untreated, there is a severe possibility of deterioration to a point where hospitalisation is required, or suicidal thoughts occur. If they have ADHD, they may continue to suffer from difficulty concentrating or sitting still.”

“The ramifications are immense and lead to all sorts of problems. Children with emotional problems will require psychological support to address these issues. Without this, they are at risk of developing worse problems”.

“Lives will be ruined if these wait times are not tackled. For these ill children, it is possible to save some of them, and to provide the treatment and support necessary for them to live their lives to their full potential. Ireland’s track record on children is outrageous, and the merit of the new unit in the Taoiseach’s department must be called into question. We have 4,000 homeless children, we have children in State care going missing at a colossal rate, we have migrant children sleeping in tents, and we have deeply vulnerable children with mental health problems who have been abandoned on a waiting list for more than a year. Aontú will be ensuring that Childrens’ Rights and Mental Health services are a primary focus of the Dáil when it returns from its excessive month-long holiday!”

For further information contact Becky Kealy 086 0760180