Cork Kerry Community Healthcare has confirmed that Dr Colette Halpin is leading the Lookback Review into the care of children and young people at North Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Early this year, Cork Kerry Community confirmed that we would commission an independent review at North Kerry CAMHS following a random file audit at the service.
Since then, we have been working to put in place the many arrangements needed for a robust, thorough and independent review. We can now confirm that Dr Colette Halpin, a consultant CAMHS psychiatrist will lead the review, supported by a team CAMHS consultants.
The first phase of the Lookback Review will begin by reviewing of all files open to North Kerry on the 21 November 2022.
Today (Monday, June 19 2023), we wrote to young people and their families who were under the care of North Kerry CAMHS on that date. We told them that Dr Halpin and her team will review their files over the next few months. Most families affected should receive our letter today.
We expect that approximately 300 files will be reviewed.
As in previous lookback reviews, if any young person needs further support then we will make sure it is offered and provided as quickly as possible.
Dr Halpin is working to complete her review by the end of the year.
We deeply and sincerely regret the understandable worry this may cause for young people and their families. We are committed to keeping young people and their families informed about the review, and to answering questions.
Updates:
We will place information and updates on this webpage, hse.ie/northkerrycamhsreview.
Our Kerry CAMHS information line remains open on 1800 742 800, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
An information document about the review which was sent to families is available below:
About North Kerry CAMHS review June 2023 (PDF, size 2.8 MB, 8 pages)
