A statement issued by the HSE has refuted claims by Sinn Fein that Donegal has the biggest patient waiting for twelve months or more for appointments to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Senator Pádraig MacLochlainn labelled as ‘disgraceful’ official figures released which they said had been released to them on the subject.
Senator MacLochlainn said the data also shows that Donegal has the second highest number of total patients on the service’s waiting lists, despite the county having the third lowest population of all the HSE’s Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs).
However, a statement from the HSE said that on a per capita basis, Donegal CAMS actually has the smallest waiting this.
This is their statement in full.
“Donegal has approximately 43,800 people under the age of 18 years.
“This is 42% ( 103,500 ) of all those under 18 living in Community Health Organisation Area 1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan & Sligo).
“Between January and June 2016, Donegal Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) saw a total of 218 new cases – 61 % of all those seen across CHO1 ( 359 )
“In June 2016, Donegal CAMHS saw a total of 28 new cases – 62 % of all those seen across CHO1 ( 45 )
“At the end of June, Donegal CAMHS had waiting list of 138 or 30% of the total CHO1 waiting list ( 457 ).
“All referrals once received are prioritised and those deemed most urgent are seen with 3 months.
“Therefore on a per capita CHO1 wide basis, Donegal CAMHS has the smallest waiting list.”
This is a link to the previous Donegal Daily article.
Tags:Figures show Donegal has most patients waiting Mental Health appointments
