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24th July 2023
07:54am BST
Psychologists have also said that it is "unacceptable" that children who need inpatient care can't access it.
In May 2022, the HSE cut the beds at Linn Dara in Dublin, the largest Camhs unit, from 24 to 13.
The total number of operational beds across the four centres was brought down from 72 to 51.
The cuts were set to be reversed by September 2022, but almost a year on from this they are still in place.
The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) said that their estimates claim there are only 43 beds actually in operation rather than 51.
They also said the HSE's plans to reopen the Linn Dara beds this September seem “unlikely” due to the ongoing staffing shortages.
In a statement, the HSE said the reduction of operational beds at Linn Dara is due to "high levels of nursing staff vacancies” but there continues to be a "concerted recruitment campaign”.
Linn Dara is not the only centre to see a reduction in operational beds as St Joseph’s also saw a reduction from 12 to eight in 2022, also due to staff shortages.
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