Four children settle High Court actions against South Kerry Camhs claiming they were 'overmedicated'
Totalling Four File Have Children Actions Their High Settled €196,000 Court For Sums The Photo
Four children who, it was claimed, were "overmedicated" after they were referred to South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) have settled their High Court actions for sums totalling €196,000.
Counsel for the children, Pearse Sreenan instructed by Padraig J O’Connell solicitors, told the High Court the cases referred to the overmedication or inappropriate medication of all four children who now range in age from 12 to 17 years. The court heard they are now doing well.
The settlements against the HSE were reached after mediation.
In the first case, a now 16-year-old girl, who was referred to South Kerry Camhs as she had a mild learning difficulty and a history of language delays and aggression, was prescribed the anti-psychotic drug risperidone in September 2019.
It was claimed the drug was prescribed without a clear rationale and another drug was later prescribed. The dosage of that drug was later increased. The girl was also diagnosed with ADHD. In all, the girl was on risperidone for three months.
Counsel told the court the girl suffered significant side-effects, including painful muscle spasms, for about four months. He said she missed school and fell behind. She settled her case for €60,000.
A now 12-year-old boy who was referred to South Kerry Camhs in July 2018 when he was six years of age also settled his action. He had been diagnosed with ADHD in 2019 and, it was claimed, was prescribed medication and he became unmotivated and withdrawn.
This, the court heard, had a significant impact on his sleeping and his relations with his family. The settlement is for €50,000.
A now 17-year-old girl who was diagnosed with ASD and was referred to Camhs was prescribed the anti-psychotic drug risperidone. It was claimed that there was an alleged failure to give the girl in 2019 any or any adequate monitoring following the prescription of the medication.
Counsel told the court a relative advised the girl’s mother to take her off the risperidone and she was only on it for two days. She settled her action for €16,000.
In the last case, a now 15-year-old boy with ADHD settled his action for €70,000. He had been referred to Camhs in 2017. He was prescribed risperidone among other medication and it was claimed he was overmedicated and allegedly subjected to poly pharmacy and inadequately monitored and reviewed with regard to the impact on him of the prescribed medication.
Counsel told the court the boy suffered fatigue and weight gain and problems with emotional regulation.
Approving all four settlements, Ms Justice Denise Brett wished the children and their families well for the future.
A State compensation scheme was set up two years ago after the controversy over the care provided by South Kerry Camhs was revealed.
A look back review of the care of 1,300 young people who attended the HSE-run service also took place. It found that the care received by 240 young people did not meet the standards which it should have, and it detailed significant harm to 46 children.