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Figures show 3,600 children awaiting psychiatric assessment

The Government has been accused of neglecting the needs of vulnerable children with mental health problems following an increase in the number of young people waiting for assessments.

Latest official figures show that 3,600 children are waiting to be assessed by psychiatrists. Of this number, more than 1,000 will have to wait more than one year before being seen. The overall figure represents a 15 per cent rise over the last two years.

The HSE figures released to Fine Gael TD David Stanton are the same as those revealed in an unpublished internal report by health authorities which appeared in The Irish Times earlier this year.

That study conceded that there were major gaps in community mental health teams and a serious lack of beds for emergency cases.

Mr Stanton said that there were concerns that the situation would get worse as a result of cutbacks. "It is clear that the Fianna Fáil-led Government and the HSE are failing to meet the needs of children with psychiatric difficulties.

CARL O'BRIEN, Social Affairs Correspondent

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© 2008 The Irish Times

 
 

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