Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will read an extract from a letter sent from a medical centre in my constituency to the HSE about the same issue:

My colleagues and I at the [health centre] are extremely alarmed and worried at the lack of a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in our area [the north Lee area] ... we have no access to appropriate Psychiatric intervention for the seriously distressed child or adolescent. Our referrals are being added to a paper pile awaiting a new Consultant. If a child or adolescent is suicidal and or is exhibiting self harm we have been advised to send them to [the emergency department] which is not only unacceptable but grossly inappropriate. These high risk young people and their families are traumatised and need help urgently to avoid a serious event. Delays are simply not acceptable in these incidences.

Many thanks for your urgent attention.

That letter was sent from a large general practice in my constituency to the HSE. It highlights the challenges and problems facing young people and adolescents in terms of accessing urgent psychiatric services. I concur with everything Deputy McGrath has raised.

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