Dr Ankur Sharma raised concerns which sparked major review into handling of 1,300 young patients in South Kerry Child and Adolsescent Mental Health Services. Photograph: iStock
Senior Health Service Executive (HSE) officials have refused to answer questions from TDs about the treatment of the whistleblower who revealed the sub-standard care provided in young mental health patients in Kerry.
Members of the Oireachtas health committee asked whether the whistleblower, Dr Ankur Sharma, had been asked to take time off from South Kerry child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) after his disclosures and been re-assigned to other duties.
HSE chief operating officer Anne O’Connor said there was a “continuing process of engagement” with the whistleblower and it was therefore inappropriate to answer questions on him at this time.
She said HSE chief executive Paul Reid had written to Dr Ankur thanking him for his actions and Dr Sharma had replied.
A review into the treatment of Dr Sharma is being undertaken internally by a member of HSE human resources staff, she said, adding that the review was preliminary and the outcome would determine what happened next.
Dr Sharma, whose concerns sparked a major review into the handling of the cases of 1,300 young mental health patients, has said he was “sidelined” when he raised issue on his appointment to the service in September 2020.
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