There are no child and adolescent mental health services beds north of Dundee
A coalition of independent and third sector organisations has demanded the Scottish Government acts over the increasing number of children and young people being admitted to adult psychiatric and paediatric wards.
Figures from the Mental Welfare Commission show 207 young people were admitted to largely adult non specialist units in 2014/15, a slight increase from 202 in 2013/14 and significantly up from 149 in 2008/9.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition is calling for greater specialist inpatient provision.
Experiencing mental ill health is extremely traumatic for anyone, but especially so for a child or young person, as well as their families
Currently there are only 48 child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) beds in Scotland, located in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
In addition, there is no secure/locked provision in Scotland for under-18s – all three adolescent inpatient psychiatric units are open wards and there are no units for those with severe learning disabilities.
Those with forensic needs, or challenging behaviours and learning disabilities, are therefore being treated in unsuitable environments or are sometimes sent to units in England.
Because of the lack of inpatient services, children who require inpatient admission are left longer in the care of their families, often until the family reaches crisis point.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition said: “While we welcome the increased investment the Scottish Government is putting into child and adolescent mental health services, these figures out today are deeply disturbing and highlight the need for greater impatient provision.
“Experiencing mental ill health is extremely traumatic for anyone, but especially so for a child or young person, as well as their families.
“Our concern is that these young people may not be getting the age-appropriate support and care that they require and the Scottish Government must look to ensure that NHS Health Boards are providing the support these vulnerable young people so desperately need.”
