General practitioner referrals to a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS): pre and post COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To compare the characteristics of GP referrals to CAMHS prior to and over the entire pandemic.

Methods: All accepted referrals to a Dublin-based CAMHS between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2023, were examined. Referral letters were anonymised in batches, and information was extracted directly onto a designated proforma.

Prevalence and correlates of restrictive interventions in an Irish child and adolescent psychiatric unit: a 4-year retrospective study.

Background: There has been a global effort to reduce the use of restrictive interventions (RIs) in healthcare settings. In order to reduce unnecessary RIs, it is essential to understand their use in mental health settings. To date, there have been few studies examining the use of RIs in child and adolescent mental health settings, with no such studies in Ireland.

CRISIS AFAR: an international collaborative study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and service access in youth with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Background: Heterogeneous mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic are documented in the general population. Such heterogeneity has not been systematically assessed in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). To identify distinct patterns of the pandemic impact and their predictors in ASD/NDD youth, we focused on pandemic-related changes in symptoms and access to services.

Shiga toxin-producing clonal complex 32, including serotype O145:H28, in the UK and Ireland.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) O157:H7 has been the most clinically significant STEC serotype in the UK for over four decades. Over the last 10 years we have observed a decrease in STEC O157:H7 and an increase in non-O157 STEC serotypes, such as O145:H28. Little is known about the microbiology and epidemiology of STEC belonging to CC32 (including O145:H28) in the UK.

Autism spectrum disorders: current issues and future directions.

This edition of Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine is a Special Themed Issue on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Mental health services are not currently meeting the needs of autistic people across the lifespan. We have limited evidence based treatments for core symptoms and comorbidities and there is lack of awareness and under-recognition of ASD, particularly in adults and certain groups of individuals.

Service user satisfaction with care in a specialist service for young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Objectives: Consumer satisfaction is considered one of the most important measures of service quality in child mental health; however, there is limited understanding of factors that influence satisfaction. The objective of this study was to investigate key factors influencing satisfaction with care (SWC) in ADMiRE, a specialist service for young people (YP) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: Parents/carers ( = 67) and YP > 9 years ( = 44) attending ADMiRE completed an anonymous Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ), a quantitative/qualitative measure of service user satisfaction.

Antipsychotic prescribing in GMS paediatric and young adult population in Ireland 2005-2015: repeated cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To examine the rates of antipsychotic prescribing in the Irish paediatric and young adult population enrolled in the Irish General Medical Services Scheme pharmacy claims database from the Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Services database, with a focus on age and sex differences. To examine concomitant prescribing of certain other related medicines in this population.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Irish General Medical Services (GMS) scheme pharmacy claims database from the Health Service Executive (HSE) - Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS).

'More than a box of puzzles': Understanding the parental experience of having a child with a rare genetic condition".

Background: Chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing has been adopted as the first-tier diagnostic test for developmental disabilities. However, determining the clinical significance of the results is often complex. This qualitative study seeks to explore parental interpretation, adaption and coping in the context of ambiguous rare genetic findings in order to support parental adjustment and wellbeing.

The effectiveness of the loci method as a mnemonic device: Meta-analysis.

The "loci method" is a popular mnemonic device that involves visualising and recalling items at specific points along a familiar route. The loci method has been used for thousands of years, and by many successful memory athletes; yet there have been relatively few educational and clinical applications, possibly owing to empirical uncertainty. The current meta-analysis of 13 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) mostly based in university settings demonstrated the effectiveness of the loci method as a mnemonic device, with a medium effect size ( = 0.

'Not Left in Limbo': Service User Experiences of Mental Health Nurse Prescribing in Home Care Settings.

Prescribing in mental health nursing in the Republic of Ireland is still an unusual occurrence and despite an uptake in prescriber training, this does not often translate to practice. Recent Irish research, however, has identified that nurse prescribing when offered, is perceived to enhance care and offer better delivery of services. Since the legislation was introduced in the Republic of Ireland to enable nurses and midwives to prescribe in May 2007, there are now 1,123 nurses registered to prescribe medication.

Verocytotoxin Escherichia coli-Associated Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome.

Aims To describe laboratory data on clinical human Verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) strains causing haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and to characterise the VTEC strains, thus contributing to risk mitigation to decrease HUS incidence in Ireland. Methods Laboratory characterisation was performed on isolates from 52 VTEC-associated HUS cases identified in the National clinical VTEC Reference Laboratory (NRL-VTEC) for the years 2012-2014.

Correction to: The child and adolescent psychiatry: study of training in Europe (CAP‑STATE).

The original article has been corrected.

The role of primary care in management of rare diseases in Ireland.

Background: 'Slaintecare' aims to address complex patient care needs in an integrated fashion with an emphasis on patient-centred, patient-empowered community care.Currently there is a lack of knowledge of the impact of rare disease management in primary care and of the information tools required by general practitioners to deliver integrated care for rare disease patients.

Aims: To complete a pilot survey to estimate the general practice clinical workload attributable to selected rare diseases and assess the use of relevant information sources.

Retrospective study of first episode psychosis in the Dublin Southwest Mental Health Service: demographics, clinical profile and service evaluation of treatment.

Objective: In Ireland, National Clinical Programmes are being established to improve and standardise patient care throughout the Health Service Executive. In line with internationally recognised guidelines on the treatment of first episode psychosis the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) programme is being drafted with a view to implementation by mental health services across the country. We undertook a review of patients presenting with a first episode of psychosis to the Dublin Southwest Mental Health Service before the implementation of the EIP.

How do we compare with best practice? A completed audit of benzodiazepine and z-hypnotic prescribing.

Objectives: To compare benzodiazepine and z-hypnotic prescribing practices in an inpatient psychiatric unit to best practice standards.

Methods: Medication charts of all inpatients in the psychiatric unit, over a 1-week period, were reviewed. Details of current benzodiazepine and z-hypnotic prescriptions were collected.

Factors affecting mental health nurses working with clients with first-episode psychosis: A qualitative study.

Unlabelled: WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SUBJECT?: First-episode psychosis (FEP) usually occurs in adolescence, a time of great change and upheaval and the effect on the sufferer and their family can be immense The nurse's role is to alleviate this suffering, aid recovery and minimize the risk of relapse. They manage this onerous task ideally through the therapeutic relationship, and use the skills of assessment and risk identification in order to maximize patient outcomes. WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The study adds knowledge about the challenges that mental health nurses experience specifically in the presentation of first-episode psychosis The findings of this study reinforce the idea that pathways to care need to be clearly identified with a community-wide educational led experience This study illuminates the fact that additional training and formalized clinical supervision are necessary for mental health nurses to improve quality of care and reduce stress levels, both of which lead to better clinical outcomes.

The effect of SMS (text message) reminders on attendance at a community adult mental health service clinic: do SMS reminders really increase attendance?

Background: Non-attendance at outpatient clinics is common and costly.

Aims: This study aimed to determine if sending SMS ('short message service' or text message) reminders to patients before appointments reduced non-attendance.

Methods: We collected outpatient data at Ballyfermot and Lucan Community Adult Mental Health Service, Dublin, Ireland during 6-month periods (a) immediately prior to the introduction of SMS reminders for outpatient appointments; (b) immediately following the introduction of SMS reminders; and (c) two and a half years later.

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli transmission in Ireland: a review of notified outbreaks, 2004-2012.

Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) are significant for their low infectious dose, their potential clinical severity and the frequency with which they generate outbreaks. To describe the relative importance of different outbreak transmission routes for VTEC infection in Ireland, we reviewed outbreak notification data for the period 2004-2012, describing the burden and characteristics of foodborne, waterborne, animal contact and person-to-person outbreaks. Outbreaks where person-to-person spread was reported as the sole transmission route accounted for more than half of all outbreaks and outbreaks cases, most notably in childcare facilities.

A qualitative study of day release in Irish general practice training programmes.

This research, conducted by postal questionnaires and focus groups, gathered the opinions of both current and former GP trainees on Irish General Practice Training Programmes about the educational value of day release. Six focus groups, comprising 34 general practice trainees, were conducted. Results demonstrated that both current and former GP trainees recognised the educational value of day release in their general practice training.

Developing an Integrated Mental Health Care Service: Description of a Pilot Mental Health Consultation/Liaison Clinic in a Primary Care Centre.

Unlabelled: To determine if a consultation/liaison mental health clinic in primary care as proposed for Vision for Change, The Primary Care Strategy and the Department of Health is an efficient model of delivering mental health care in Ireland.

Methods: The pattern of service use and the clinical characteristics of new patients attending a pilot consultation/liaison clinic in a local primary care centre were studied.

Results: During the first 16 months of this clinic 1.

Preliminary evaluation after setting up a post-assessment attention deficit hyperactivity disorder clinic in a community setting.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-behavioural condition affecting school age children, older adolescents and young adults. It often leads to challenging educational, social and personal difficulties and co-morbidities which makes it an appropriate focus for the setting up of a dedicated clinic.

Aim: This service innovation was planned to ensure that ADHD patients receive regular multi-disciplinary reviews and to improve the training standards of junior doctors.