Distribution and characteristics of in-patient child and adolescent mental health services in England and Wales.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the current state of provision of child and adolescent mental health service in-patient units in the UK.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the full number, distribution and key characteristics of child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient units in England and Wales.


METHODS
Following identification of units, data were collected by a postal general survey with telephone follow-up.


RESULTS
Eighty units were identified; these provided 900 beds, of which 244 (27%) were managed by the independent sector. Units are unevenly distributed, with a concentration of beds in London and the south-east of England. The independent sector, which manages a high proportion of specialist services and eating disorder units in particular, accentuates this uneven distribution. Nearly two-thirds of units reported that they would not accept emergency admissions.


CONCLUSIONS
A national approach is needed to the planning and commissioning of this specialist service.
O'Herlihy
Anne
A
Royal College of Psychiatrists' Research Unit, London, UK.
Worrall
Adrian
A
Lelliott
Paul
P
Jaffa
Tony
T
Hill
Peter
P
Banerjee
Sube
S
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004739:England; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000628:therapy; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D014852:Wales