Mayo patients face six-week wait for mental healthcare

The average wait time for adult outpatient mental health appointments in Mayo is approximately six weeks. 

However, Integrated Health Area Manager for Mayo, Mary Warde, stated that urgent appointments were offered to outpatients within 1-2 days.

This was announced yesterday, (Tuesday, March 25) to Ballina councillor, Michael Loftus, at the HSE Regional Health Forum meeting.

Cllr Loftus was also informed that a 24/7 emergency mental health assessment service is available, where necessary, through the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital.

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In addition, the most recently published reports indicate that, as of the end of January 2026, there were 11 patients in north Mayo and 73 in the south of the county with referrals accepted and waiting for an appointment.

Cllr Loftus queried the significant disparity between the two areas.

“The South Mayo numbers are mainly down to instability in the workforce. A new consultant has now been appointed, and the team underneath them are now all in permanent contracts, so we should see that number reducing,” Mary Warde,  Integrated Health Area Manager for Mayo, stated. 

She further highlighted that referrals to CAMHS have become increasingly complex, and that South Mayo has a larger population than the north of the county.

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