A junior doctor engaged in the inappropriate prescription of multiple medications to young mental health patients over a four-year period, according to a health service whistleblower.

The allegation was made against Dr David Kromer (43), who was attached to the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) unit in South Kerry.

Concerns raised by Dr Ankur Sharma, a locum consultant psychiatrist, about Dr Kromer’s prescribing and diagnostic practices sparked a major “look back” review of 1,300 cases handled by the service between July 2016 and April 2021.

The review report is due to be published this week, but the Irish Independent has established around 200 young service users and their families have already received apologies for substandard care from the unit. Apologies have been given for inappropriate prescribing, insufficient assessment to ensure a comprehensive diagnosis, loss or incompleteness of medical notes, and lack of care.

The report is expected to highlight failings across a range of areas and not just with one person or one team.

In an interview with the Irish Independent, Dr Sharma said parents reported their child was left “feeling like a zombie” and some patients had “significant medical side-effects”.

Locum consultant psychiatrist Dr Ankur Sharma. Photo: Mark Condren

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