This is awful.
Cork GPs have been told that there is no room for any new referrals at its specialist service for children experiencing mental health issues.
Instead, they are being directed to send patients to the emergency department.
Currently, there are over 160 children on their waiting list seeking medical treatment for mental health.
The move is blamed on the recent departure of a psychiatrist and staffing issues within the facility which means that the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services team in Cork North Lee is now without a consultant.
But GP and local councillor, John Sheehan, has said that sending a child in a mental health crisis to an ED is “not appropriate”.
According to the Irish Examiner the HSE have said;
“Every effort is being made to recruit both a permanent consultant and interim temporary cover.”
But what does that mean for young people seeking medical help in the meantime?
Approximately seven per cent of the Irish population suffers from depression, with teenagers being amongst the highest demographics presenting with the condition.
Some adolescents have admitted to self-harming or considering taking their own life while dealing with mental health problems and leaving them without treatment could be extremely dangerous.
RTE conducted a study in 2016 which found that Cork had the highest suicide rate of any county in Ireland, so the fact that doctors in the county have to turn mental health patients away with no real way of helping them is shocking.
While the staffing problems are sorted out, almost 200 children and teens are still waiting to be seen to, a number that is sure to rise.
If you have a child suffering from depression there are several services you can seek help from including:
Aware : 1800 80 48 48
Samaritans: 116 123
Shannon’s Hopeline: 086 121 8708
