Children are still locked up with adults

Cathy Reay

Children under 16 are still being treated in adult psychiatric wards despite the government’s 2006 pledge to stamp out the practice.

The Conservative Party has highlighted new statistics indicating there may have been up to 750 children under 18 treated in adult mental health wards in 2007-8, even though ministers committed to eradicate this figure by November 2008.

There were 26 children under the age of 16 and almost 400 under the age of 18 treated in adult mental health trusts in 2007-08. The estimated total of 750 was extrapolated from this figure as it took into account trusts not involved in the study.

Andy Bell, the spokesman for the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health said: “Where it is inappropriate for a child to be in an adult mental health ward, when it causes stress and doesn’t help their recovery, this needs to be avoided.”

Sarah Brennan, the chief executive director for children’s mental health charity Young Minds agrees: “In the Mental Health Act there is an age provision requirement and we know it can make young person’s health worse to disobey that. We have a responsibility to make sure they receive appropriate care. Unless primary care trusts start planning and implementing changes they won’t be ready to respond.”

Professor Peter Beresford, a mental health service user, added: “There is already evidence of a lack of security and safety in adult services so the idea of kids in this unsafe adult environment is seriously worrying.”

A Department of Health spokesman was ‘confident’ that the trusts will meet their promise on time, and said that they would be”commissioning extra provision where required.” He added: “It would be inappropriate to introduce an absolute prohibition of 16/17 year olds being placed on an adult ward, as this would mean some patients would not be treated in an environment suitable for their needs and in line with their wishes.”