Concerns over ADHD assessment backlog
Cork County Council will write to the HSE asking for clarification on newly revealed figures showing that no ADHD assessments have been carried out in West Cork in over a year.
Social Democrats councillor Isobel Towse tabled a motion during Tuesday’s Cork County Council meeting highlighting the alarming figures, which also apply to all of County Kerry.
Cllr Towse said: “In October, a parliamentary question from Deputy Holly Cairns found that nobody in West Cork or Kerry has been assessed for ADHD in well over a year.”
She continued: “The HSE’s adult ADHD national clinical programme closed in CH04 (West Cork and Kerry) in September 2024.
“The HSE confirmed that there are 4.5 full time posts sanctioned for CH04 but all referrals have been closed for over a year.”
Cllr Towse added: “It also confirmed that one post has recently been filled but they have no start date yet, so that's one person employed out of the four and a half that are needed and we have a yearlong backlog.”
Cllr Towse asked that a letter be written to the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD and to the HSE asking how long those in the CH04 catchment area will have to wait for assessment, and what will be done to address the backlog once a clinic is reopened.
The councillor explained: “The cost of getting a private assessment and all the necessary tests and medication appointments for ADHD is well over €1,000 which a lot of people can't afford, and so they are left waiting, wondering, and suffering.
“Untreated, ADHD can lead to things like substance misuse and depression, potentially leading to loss of employment, marital breakdown, and heightened other mental conditions,” added Cllr Towse.
Supporting Cllr Towse’s motion, Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton said: “CH04 is a massive catchment area and it's quite alarming that there have been no assessments in this area in the last 12 months. It's very, very concerning.”
Independent councillor William O’Leary added: “The retention and recruitment of staff is just shocking.
“I know coming out of college and going travelling is a big part of a young person's life but there should be an attempt that when someone comes out of the education system here who qualifies in these areas to be retained in the system for a period of time.”