Urgent Action Needed Over Hospital Staff Shortages - SF

Sinn Féin has called for action to be taken after a staffing shortage left no Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services available in Cork University or Mercy University hospitals last week.

Party spokesperson on Children & Youth Affairs, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, said it was "beggars belief" children being admitted to the hospitals were unable to receive the treatment they required.

He called on both Ministers Simon Harris and Helen McEntee to take action, stating both politicians "have an obligation to these young people".

"It's beggars belief that on Monday of last week that children turning up to these hospitals, many, I'm sure, in crisis situations and experiencing extraordinary levels of stress, were unable to receive the treatment they require," he said.

"It is my understanding that this was a result of staff having resigned and being on leave, but that is by no means an excuse as to why these children didn't receive the treatment they are in such dire need of.

"Suicide has been a matter of considerable discussion in Cork in recent weeks with some localities being badly affected, and the service should not only be adequately resourced, but increased to reflect this trend.

"Both Minister Harris and Minister McEntee have an obligation to these young people, and should see to it that they do not become another statistic by acting with urgency to adequately resource and staff CAMHS units throughout the state."

(LM/CD)