THERE WERE 155 admissions of children and adolescents to adult psychiatric hospitals last year despite criticism of the practice by the State’s mental health watchdog.
The practice, which has been repeatedly criticised as a violation of basic human rights by mental health campaigners, is due to be phased out completely next year because of the risks it poses for children.
However, clinicians say the continuing lack of in-patient beds for young people with mental health problems means they have no choice but to place adolescents in unsuitable adult units.
Of the 155 admissions, new Health Service Executive (HSE) figures show a total of 12 were aged 15 or younger, 42 were under the age of 17, and 101 were under 18.
The Inspector of Mental Health Services, Dr Patrick Devitt, has described the practice as “inexcusable, counter-therapeutic and almost purely custodial in that clinical supervision is provided by teams unqualified in child and adolescent psychiatry.”
The Mental Health Commission – the State watchdog for mental health services – recently amended its code of practice to officially phase out the practice of placing young people in inappropriate facilities.
Since last July the commission has instructed that no child under 16 should be admitted to an adult centre.
This age limit will rise to 17 by December 2010, and 18 by December 2011.
Guidance notes provided to psychiatric facilities also say that if the admission of a child to an adult unit takes place in contravention of its code of practice, the centre must submit a detailed report to the commission outlining why the admission took place.
HSE figures show there has been just one admission of a child under the age of 16 since July of last year.
The number of children admitted to adult units has started to fall in recent times as the number of beds for children and adolescents begins to increase.
There were 260 admissions of children and adolescents to adult units in 2008.
Health authorities have pointed out that the development of child and adolescent services are a priority, and it is continuing to invest in new services despite pressures on public finance.
The number of beds for young people with mental health problems has increased from 12 in 2008 to 30 last year.
This number is set to increase this year, with some €6 million being made available to staff two new 20-bed units in Cork and Galway.
Under the Government’s mental health policy, it says a total of about 100 beds are needed to meet demand for children and adolescents.
Other figures also show that more than 2,600 children and adolescents were on waiting lists for treatment.
While most were waiting between three and six months for treatment, a quarter were waiting more than a year.
In its service plan for 2010, the HSE says it aims to reduce the numbers on waiting lists by around 5 per cent by the end of this year.
