The Psychiatric Nurses Association (P NA) today (Thursday ,5 th July ) welcomed the announcement of ten new Advanced Nurse Practitioner posts to work specifically in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) nationally. PNA has consistently called for the appointment of ANPs to carry out initial assessments of children and thereby relieve the current waiting lists for access to CAMHS services which have built up throughout the country.
PNA General Secretary, Peter Hughes said:
‘Today's announcement is a positive step in addressing the current CAMHS crisis in our mental health services. It is vital now that the appointment of these highly skilled ANPs, as insisted on by PNA and recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care, is accompanied by the investment of significant extra resources in CAMHS nationally.'
'While today's development is to be welcomed it comes as the HSE has announced the closure of the Linn Dara Day Hospital at Cherry Orchard Hospital which is a vital part of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Dublin.'
‘Linn Dara is just one of three CAMHS Day Hospitals in the country and the decision to close the unit in the same week that the Minister of State for Mental Health , Jim Daly T.D. is announcing positive steps to address the crisis in CAMHS is inexplicable. PNA is calling on Minister Daly to ensure that the Linn Dara Day Hospital remains open so that it can continue to provide vital CAMHS services to children in the great Dublin region.'
ENDS
Media Contacts : Derek Cunningham 086-2430535, Peter Hughes 087-2103514
