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.
In an affidavit to the High Court, his father said at a meeting after the Camhs look-back review into the services in South Kerry, the family received an apology over their son’s care.
He said that at the meeting in 2021, the Camhs assistant director of nursing 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, which he continued to take until November 2020.
His mother became concerned regarding the child’s behaviour while taking the medication, and it was claimed she made many attempts to contact Camhs for advice and support.
The court heard the family were frustrated by the alleged lack of an adequate response from Camhs.
In November 2020, it was claimed the boy’s mother decided to take her son off the medication.
In his affidavit to the court, the boy’s father said the findings of the look-back 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 there was poor quality of treatment due to inadequate monitoring.
Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved the settlement, which he described as proper.
A State compensation scheme was set up last year after the controversy over the care provided by South Kerry Camhs was revealed.
A look-back 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 required standards, and it detailed significant harm to 46 children and young people.
