Boy, 7, settles case against South Kerry Camhs for deficits in his care
Proper Described Garrett Settlement Which The Justice Simons A Mr Settlement Approved As He
A young boy with ADHD who claimed there were deficits in his care at the South Kerry Child and Adolescent and Mental Health Services (Camhs) has settled a High Court action for €60,000.
The boy who is now seven years old cannot be identified by order of the court. The settlement is against the HSE.
His father, in an affidavit to the High Court, said the family at a meeting after the Camhs lookback review into the service were given an apology over their son’s care.
He said the Camhs assistant Director of Nursing at the 2021 meeting said a review of the boy’s file indicated there were deficits in the standard of his care.
“I am so sorry this happened to you, and I would like to offer sincere apologies for this and for the upset this has, and may cause, to you and your family,” the apology read.
The boy was referred to Camhs in March 2020 when he was four years old. He was diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In May 2020, it was claimed he was prescribed medication, including an anti-psychotic drug, and he continued to take them until November 2020. His mother became concerned at the child’s behaviour on the medication, and it was claimed she made many attempts to contact Camhs for advice and support and the family were frustrated by the alleged lack of an adequate response from Camhs.
In November 2020, the boy’s mother, it was claimed, decided to take her son off the medication.
In his affidavit to the court, the boy’s father said the findings of the lookback review team in relation to his son’s case included inappropriate prescribing of the anti-psychotic drug. It also said appointments were not sent out and and there was poor treatment quality due to inadequate monitoring.
Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved the settlement which he described as a proper settlement.
A State compensation scheme was set up last year after the controversy over the care provided by South Kerry Camhs was revealed.
A lookback 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 and young people.