Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Figures released to Sinn Féin show a shocking increase of 158% in CAMHS waiting lists in CHO 4 from July 2020 to August 2023. Some 348 of these children have waited over 12 months for an appointment. This is completely unacceptable. Last year, I was contacted by a lady whose daughter was in severe distress. She had to bring her to the accident and emergency department for help. CAMHS arranged an appointment but needed a report from the accident and emergency department. Otherwise, the appointment would be cancelled. This woman was out of her mind with stress and worry. I had to contact the hospital and we did get the report. This just shows us, though, how the system has completely collapsed. People do not seek mental health supports for their children unless it is really serious. Equally, the consequences of the impact of Covid-19 on everyone were serious, but especially so for children and even more so for vulnerable children who need supports from CAMHS. This Government has abandoned our children. These 348 children in Cork and Kerry have been waiting for over a year.

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