Young mental health patients 'at risk' in child wards

A safety investigation has warned that young people with complex mental health needs are being put at significant risk, by being placed on general children's wards in England.

The findings come from the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB).

BBC News recently highlighted the plight of a 16-year-old autistic girl, who spent several months in a children's ward.

Other families have since contacted the BBC describing similar situations.

The majority had faced similar difficulties getting appropriate support.

HSIB says that paediatric wards are designed to care for patients who only have physical health needs and not for those with mental health needs.

It describes the situation in 18 hospitals it visited as "challenging", and 13 were described as "not safe" for children who were suicidal or at risk of harming themselves to be on their paediatric wards.

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Source: BBC News, 25 May 2023