The Irish Medical Organisation told an Oireachtas Committee today that what happened in CAMHS in South Kerry was "100 per cent a systems failure", caused by years of under-staffing and under-investment.
A review found 46 children were 'significantly harmed' after being prescribed inappropriate medication.
GP Aideen Brides wants to see a more children treated at a primary level, with better supports in place for more severe cases:
"There's such a fragmentation of services, it's very hard to know where best to refer them. They may be sent to CAMHs knowing that there is no medical need and as was mentioned, CAMHs is a specialist service. So really, if we were to look at reforming mental health, we have to start looking at all the services provided having maybe a central refer process."
