Cllr John Connolly is asking the executive of local health services to pursue the development of an ADHD specialist clinic in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS ) centres in Galway. Despite referrals for ADHD assessment and intervention being the reason for the majority of referrals for CAMHS services, children must often wait for assessment and the availability of intervention therapies are limited.
Cllr Connolly said on the development; “At the February meeting of the Regional Health Forum, I proposed a motion that the department of health would fund the development of specialist ADHD clinics in all CAMHS centres. ADHD is the reason for the majority of referrals to CAMHS. It is estimated that between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of children attending CAMHS are referred for ADHD. Despite this there are only two CAMHS centres in the country that provide specialist ADHD clinics.
“The impact of the current system means that children referred with concerns for assessment or treatment for ADHD often must wait due to urgent cases being unavoidably prioritised. But as is the case with all elements of treatment for children, with early intervention and treatment, the outcomes are better for patients presenting with ADHD.
“In those CAMHS facilities where specific ADHD clinics are operational, clinicians provide information about ADHD, outline further treatment options and develop a care plan with the young person and their family. One would wish such holistic treatment was available for every child in the country diagnosed with ADHD and it should be. It is not uncommon for young people with ADHD to develop other mental health difficulties. The state has a duty to make the necessary interventions at the earliest opportunity to limit this risk to children who present symptoms of ADHD.”
