Significant Care Concerns Identified in North Kerry CAMHS Review

Introduction

A newly published independent review into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (“CAMHS”) in north Kerry has identified significant issues in the care provided to a number of young patients. Moves are being made to establish a compensation scheme for those affected.

The findings raise important questions in relation to clinical governance, patient safety and potential legal accountability in CAMHS.

Overview of the Review

The Review, published on 18 February 2026, examined the care of 374 children and young people who were attending the north Kerry CAMHS service as of late 2022. It followed earlier concerns identified through an audit of patient files and formed part of a wider “look-back” review process by the Health Service Executive (“HSE”).

The report found that 209 cases involved a risk of potential harm arising from treatment or care provided. In some cases, the risk was classified as minor or moderate, with other cases found to carry a risk of more serious harm. The most common reason stated for potential harm was inadequate physical health assessment and monitoring in conjunction with psychotropic medication prescriptions.

In a statement, Mr Bernard Gloster, chief executive of the HSE, said he apologises “unequivocally” to those affected, and has confirmed that the doctor at the centre of the review has been referred to the Medical Council.

Issues identified in reporting on the Review include concerns regarding prescribing practices, clinical oversight and the adequacy of assessments and monitoring in certain cases. In particular, the Review has found:

• 79% of patients attending the North Kerry service were prescribed psychotropic medication, in contrast to the national average of 39% (as per the 2023 HSE National Audit of Prescribing).

• Two drugs – Risperidone (a neuroleptic medicine) and Guanfacine, (an ADHD medication) - were prescribed in the area more than the national average. These medications are associated with significant side effects, in particular weight gain and sedation.

• Sodium Valproate (an anti-epileptic medication) was prescribed in 42% of cases to manage behavioral dysregulation and sleep difficulties, despite not being licensed in children with an intellectual disability and not being used in CAMHS nationally.

• Limited availability of individual psychotherapy or "talking therapies", and where it was offered to patients, there were often very long waiting times for appointments.

• Higher rates of polypharmacy (prescription of more than one medication at the same time) than is considered standard practice.

• Parents not being adequately consulted or informed in relation to the medications being prescribed.

The Affected Families

The families of those included in the Review have been offered open disclosure meetings with clinicians and information about their individual cases as part of an open disclosure process.

For families or patients whose cases were not included in the recent review, Dr Amanda Burke, National Youth Mental Health Lead, has confirmed that they have the option to request their case file and to ask for it to be reviewed.

The Minister for Mental Health, Ms Mary Butler has stated that it is her intention to extend the compensation scheme that is in place for families impacted by deficits in care in South Kerry to those impacted by the same deficits in North Kerry.

Next Steps

If you are concerned about treatment that you or your child received while under the care of North or South Kerry CAMHS, you should consider:

• Attending any clinical follow-up appointments offered to assess your or your child's current status

• Gathering and preserving all medical records, correspondence and documentation relating to your or your child's treatment

• Documenting your or your child's ongoing symptoms and the impact on their daily life

• Seeking specialist legal advice to understand your options

Further Information

For expert legal advice or if you are concerned about the treatment you or your child received, please contact Avril Scally or Grace Molloy in our award-winning Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Team to discuss your concerns in the strictest confidence.