Local Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in the Shannonside Region are being treated as the poor cousin when it comes to funding and staffing.
That's according to Roscommon GP Dr Greg Kelly following the release of a new report into the services nationwide.
It highlights issues with staffing, record keeping and 140 children in one CAMHS area alone being effectively forgotten, with no one following up on their treatment.
The Inspector of Mental Health Services says she published this report earlier than planned, due to the pressing need for change.
Dr Kelly believes that staffing levels in both the Roscommon CAMHS and those nationwide, are not acceptable.
Waiting on long waiting lists for several months or maybe even years is a very poor service.
These young people are missing out on their school and their personal development.
As you can imagine, just one consultant for the entire county.
It's typical of the psychiatric service in general, where they are always known as the poor relation of the health service.
