Concern over mentally ill children put in adult wards

CONCERNS have been raised about the number of times young people with mental health problems are admitted to adult hospital wards for treatment.

A commitment to halve the number of children admitted to adult hospital beds by 2009 was made as part of a "Delivery Plan for Mental Health".

In 2006-7, there were 186 such admissions, but the Mental Welfare Commission reported that there were 149 occasions in 2008-9 when under-18s were placed in adult beds.

Members of Holyrood's equal opportunities committee said: "Such admissions often mean that the young person does not get the age-appropriate care to which they are entitled."

The committee urged the Scottish Government to look at boosting early intervention as a way of reducing the need for young people to be admitted to specialist units.

MSPs also voiced their concerns over advocacy provision for people with a mental disorder.

The committee was told right of access to independent advocacy services was "poor" for a number of groups, including children and young people.