The yearly Young Person Monitoring Report from the Mental Health Commission published on the 12th December has indicated that the number of children and young people reported to being treated for mental illness in non-specialist wards in Scotland has risen in 2017-18.
Colin McKay, chief executive of the Mental Welfare Commission, said:
“The rise in these figures after a two year fall is disappointing. We believe the rise may reflect capacity issues within the mental health system as a whole. We also note that some health boards have markedly higher numbers of admissions to adult wards than others, and would seek clarity on the reasons for this.
“We are also very concerned about the continued lack of intensive psychiatric care facilities in Scotland for children and young people, something we have raised for several years.
“Adult intensive care psychiatric units (IPCUs) can often be unsuitable environments for adolescents. They are specialised environments for adults who are very unwell and present with high risk to themselves or others. They are also used routinely to provide care for adults who are engaged in the criminal justice system and court processes due to the security of the environment.
“We continue to discuss the need for an IPCU facility for children and young people with government, and are asking that it becomes part of the Mental Health Strategy.”
The report, which can be found here, offers a breakdown of admission by the health board.
