Appointment of consultant psychiatrist to CAMHS in Sligo Leitrim will reduce waiting times- McLoughlin

Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Tony McLoughlin, said the appointment of a new consultant psychiatrist to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the North West will reduce waiting times.

Deputy McLoughlin said: “This is a very welcome development for the region given the current long delays in accessing the service and it will hopefully go some way to reducing the waiting times for families needing to use the CAMHS in this region.

“Over the last number of months I have asked Health Minister Simon Harris in the Dáil to ensure that the HSE was prioritising hiring a consultant for the service, and I also requested that he would continue to inquire into levels of care provided in the service in this region.

“Just a fortnight ago Taoiseach Enda Kenny came to Sligo and I asked him to meet with Sharon Boles of the Sligo Childcare Committee, where it was highlighted to him that increased youth mental health services were needed for the region.

“Last week in the Dáil I said to the Taoiseach again that improved resources were needed for our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the region to reduce long waiting lists, and I called for the appointment of a consultant psychiatrist as a matter of urgency.

“After working on this issue in the background for quite some time, I am very pleased to hear today that a consultant has now been appointed and that children in Sligo and Leitrim can expect greater access to this service.”

ENDS