The Irish medical Organisation (IMO) has raised concerns about the serious understaffing of many of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) units across the country. Unfortunately, the response from senior managers in the Mental Health Service (MHS) was one of ignoring the problem and refusing to engage with the IMO on the issues being highlighted to them.

Consequently the IMO raised the non-engagement of MHS management at the Haddington Road Agreement Health Sector Oversight Group. The group subsequently instructed MHS management to participate in a National Joint Review Group (JRG) to address the concerns being highlighted by IMO members.

In preparation for the meeting it would be helpful if you could provide an update on the CAMHS provision in your area.

This should include:

•  staffing level of the multi-disciplinary team compared to the requirements set out in Vision for Change;

•  catchment area compared to the requirements set out in Vision for Change;

•  additional services that could/ should be provided by other teams, e.g. Intellectual Disability, Eating Disorders, etc.;

•  the ability to access appropriate in-patient beds;

•  access to emergency in-patient beds;

•  the current position on the referral of 16 and 17 year olds;

•  your opinion on whether there are patient care/ safety issues.

All information received will be anonymised. Please send to stweed@imo.ie

I know that everyone is busy, but it is important that the IMO has the latest information available to be included in our submission to the JRG. Any additional information you have that you feel is important for us to take account of please include in your response.

The IMO is the only union representing Consultants that has access to the Haddington Road Agreement JRG process. Therefore, to ensure that all Consultants working in CAMHS have the opportunity to have their concerns included in the process the IMO is happy to also receive feedback from non-members.

Thank you for your assistance.