Mary Butler : “197 Children Compensated for Care Shortfall at South Kerry CAMHS”

Junior minister for mental health Mary Butler recently revealed that a total of 202 applications for compensation have been submitted to the state scheme following the release of the Maskey review. The report, which was published in 2022, highlighted significant failures in the treatment of children attending the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in south Kerry.

The Maskey review uncovered instances where the care provided to 240 young individuals did not meet the required standards, resulting in harm to 46 children and young people. Examples of harm included sedation and elevated blood pressure, raising concerns about unreliable diagnoses, inappropriate prescriptions, and poor monitoring of treatment.

In response to the findings, the government established a non-adversarial route for affected children and their families to seek compensation for the substandard care they received. Minister Butler emphasized that the compensation scheme is designed to address specific criteria and is open to eligible cases identified in the Maskey report.

To qualify for compensation, patients must have attended Kerry CAMHS between July 1, 2016, and April 19, 2021, experienced harm or injury as a result of the care provided, and been notified by CAMHS about the events outlined in the report. A total of 33 mediations have been conducted so far, with the majority resulting in successful resolutions.

Additionally, 31 legal cases have been settled, with recent High Court approvals granting awards of €77,500 and €30,000 to affected individuals. An audit of sample files at north Kerry CAMHS revealed 16 cases of concern, prompting immediate action to address prescribing practices and clinical issues.

The ongoing lookback review aims to provide further insights and recommendations based on the audit findings. Minister Butler reassured that any additional eligible cases identified in Kerry will be duly considered by the State Claims Agency to ensure fair compensation for those affected.