Two boys who, it was claimed, were inappropriately prescribed anti-psychotic medication when they were treated by the Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) have settled High Court actions.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlements against the HSE presented to the court by the boys’ legal team, Robert Fitzpatrick SC instructed by Coleman Legal, which included an award of €60,000 to a now 10-year-old and a €16,000 award to a now 17-year-old.
Mr Fitzpatrick told the court that both cases were settled after mediation.
Counsel said the now 10-year-old boy, who has autism spectrum disorder and has a moderate intellectual disability. was referred to Camhs when he was six.
He was assessed in July 2020 and a low dose of an anti-psychotic drug was begun and after a month the dosage was increased.
In September 2020, owing to the boy’s distress in the Camhs waiting area, he was withdrawn from a review, but his father remained, and Counsel said a diagnosis of ADHD was made on foot of the brief observation in the waiting room.
Another medication, a stimulant used in the treatment of ADHD, was prescribed but later discontinued.
Counsel told the court the boy’s mother had contacted Camhs after three days because her son had difficulty sleeping.
At the end of October, the dosage of the anti-psychotic dose was increased until it was discontinued on November 23rd, 2020.
In March 2022, the boy’s mother attended an open disclosure meeting to discuss the deficits in care, which included diagnosing ADHD without sufficient information and the inappropriate prescription of medication. An apology was also offered at the meeting.
Counsel said the experience of the family with Camhs was poor.
Urgent review
In the second case, the now 17-year-old boy was referred to Camhs in January 2020 when he was 13 and he presented with anxiety and depression. He was put on an anti-depressant.
As a result of an urgent review in September 2020, Counsel said an anti-psychotic drug was added to the boy’s prescription, which he was on for about 15 days.
Counsel said another anti-psychotic was prescribed at the end of October, and that was ceased three days later.
Counsel said it was accepted that the boy’s experience of this anti-psychotic drug was very short, and it was stopped because he was having difficulties which included lethargy and tiredness.
He said the boy, who has since been diagnosed with autism, was continued on the anti-depressant and there is no criticism of that treatment.
In March 2022, the boy’s mother attended an open disclosure meeting with the HSE to discuss the deficits in her son’s care and an apology was given.
In the proceedings, the boy’s mother claimed that while her son was attending Camhs her concerns regarding the side effects of medication were dismissed.
Counsel told the court that the boy’s mother later reported to a consultant psychiatrist in a 2023 review that she had lost trust in Camhs owing to the care given to her son.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved both settlements and said in each case it was fair and reasonable.
