Young Wexford people diagnosed with ADHD and eating disorders unable to access ‘appropriate assessments’ and ‘ongoing care’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Young Wexford people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and eating disorders are not being provided with appropriate assessment, intervention, and ongoing care.

That’s according to Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Rose O’Brien who has called upon the HSE and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to ensure a “full and equitable range of services” is made available in Wexford for those diagnosed with these conditions.

Submitting a motion at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), Cllr O’Brien said all appointments to treat ADHD and eating disorders should be held on a one-to-one basis rather than online.

Recognising the pressures faced by practitioners at CAHMS, Cllr O’Brien said the onus was on the Department of Health to “allocate the necessary resources, staffing, and funding to address service gaps and waiting lists in the region” and to “provide a clear timeline for the restoration and full delivery of these services in South Wexford.”

“CAMHS publicly states that it provide care for a range of moderate to severe mental health conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, and psychosis,” said Cllr O’Brien. “In practice, children and young people in South Wexford diagnosed with ADHD and those presenting with eating disorders are currently unable to access appropriate assessment, intervention, and ongoing care through local CAMHS services.”

Having liaised with the parents and families of young people unable to access these vital services, Cllr O’Brien said she had seen first-hand how it exacerbated their conditions.

Cllr Aoife Rose O'Brien. Pic: Jim Campbell

“Delays or absence of early intervention can have a significant impact on the long-term mental health, educational outcomes, and overall wellbeing of children and their families. The distress and inequality experienced by families in South Wexford who seek services outside their area or go without appropriate support must be acknowledged.”

In April of this year it was confirmed that CAMHS has not had an occupational therapist (OT) in Co Wexford since July 2025. Meanwhile, in January, it was reported that the north Wexford CAMHS team had a waiting list of 84 children. Out of that number, 22 of these children have been waiting up to 12 months.

Cllr O’Brien’s motion was carried by the council and will now be forwarded to the HSE, CAMHS, and the Department of Education.