Audit of compliance to be conducted on adolescent mental health services across the country

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced a full nationwide audit of compliance with Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams.

A prescribing audit will be conducted in each of the 72 CAMHS teams to include a random selection of files proportionate to the medical caseload from a continuous six-month predefined time period in 2021.

It follows the finding of a report into the care of more than 1,300 children who attended the HSE-run South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

An Taoiseach said the report's finding that 46 children suffered significant harm was a "profoundly serious issue", adding that "it demands a fundamental review" right across the country.