1 in 3 children admitted to adult mental health facilities
Concerns are being expressed about figures which show one in three children in need of mental health in-patient services last year were admitted to adult facilities. Out of hours incidents or a child in need of immediate attention in parts of the country not near a suitable facility are some of the reasons given. The figures came to light after a parliamentary question from Deputy Colm Keaveney, the Fianna Fail spokesperson for mental health and special needs. He says it's inexcusable that children are being admitted to adult facilities: "it simply has to stop - it serves for poor outcomes for the recovery of that child" he said. "I have great concerns about the clinical practice on adult wards for children; and in this day and age where we see significant underspend in mental health funding in the area of child/adolescent mental health services, it's inexcusable that the minister hasn't provided for the additional capacity for children who require admission to specialist units" he added.