An investigation by Community Care and the BBC have reported that an increasing number of under-18 mental health patients are being admitted to adult psychiatric wards. According to the BBC, "Treating young people in such units should happen only in exceptional circumstances. The Department of Health had promised this would stop by 2010."
Under Freedom of Information, this joint investigation discovered that not only has the DoH failed to keep its promise, but the number of children being treated in adult wards has increased. More and more patients under age 16 are being sent to adult wards, and one report found even a child of 12 had been sent to one.
In addition to age-inappropriate placement, these patients are also being sent very far from their homes, often hundreds of miles, which can prohibit families from being able to visit. Children find themselves far from their families and frightened by their experiences in adult wards.
A consultant child psychologist interviewed for Community Care cites funding cuts and division of commissioning duties for the current crisis.
Tell the Department of Health that adolescent patients deserve better!
I put my name to this petition to express my deep disappointment in the Department of Health over the current crisis for space in under-18 psychiatric wards. These children are being denied services appropriate to their ages, being exposed to inappropriate care, and being transported great distances from their families. I appreciate that the rapid review is under way, but I urge you to take swift action to alleviate the situation. I encourage these actions as immediate, temporary measures until a suitable longterm solution can be put in place.
Respectfully,
