A recent study conducted by the University of Nottingham has shed light on the challenges faced by young people needing urgent mental health beds in the UK. The research found that these individuals often experienced long waits in acute general hospital wards before being placed on mental health units far from their place of residence.
According to the study, over 40% of young people had to wait for seven days or more to be admitted to an adolescent mental health unit. During this waiting period, most of them were accommodated in acute hospital settings such as pediatric or general medical wards, and even the emergency department.
The study, published in BMJ Mental Health, focused on the admissions of young people to mental health units located more than 50 miles from their homes or in a different NHS region. It revealed that more than half of these admitted individuals were placed in mental health units anywhere between 50 and 100 miles away from their homes. Furthermore, the majority of young people remained in the same unit throughout their admission, with 20% still in hospital even six months later.
Dr. Josephine Holland emphasized the adverse impact of this situation on young individuals experiencing mental health crises. She highlighted the fact that these young people, who urgently require mental health beds, are forced to wait in places that are not suitable for their age group.
The study also highlighted that the distance factor contributed to delays in discharging patients in over one-third of cases. Prolonged hospital stays meant that these young individuals spent more time away from their families, friends, and schools. Professor Kapil Sayal, another author of the study, emphasized the importance of early discharge, as it allows young people to reconnect with their support networks, which are vital for their recovery and well-being.
The admissions of these young individuals were mainly driven by clinical risk, with 80% of them having suicidal tendencies. The most common diagnosis among the admitted individuals was depression, while over half displayed significant emotional regulation difficulties, and a fifth had a diagnosis of psychosis.
Data for the study was collected from the Royal College of Psychiatrists Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System. The researchers analyzed information related to 13- to 17-year-olds admitted to general adolescent units, far away from home, or in adult psychiatric wards between February 2021 and February 2022. The findings revealed that more than 20% of young people had to wait for over 10 days for a bed, and an additional 18% waited for 7–10 days. Only 9% of individuals experienced a wait of less than a day.
The majority of these young people endured their waiting period in general hospital settings, such as pediatric wards, adult medical wards, and even in Section 136 suites, which are specialized holding suites for individuals awaiting a Mental Health Act assessment.
Moving forward, Professor Kapil Sayal suggests the development of service models that enhance mental health crisis care provision in community settings, as well as more intensive therapeutic interventions for young people waiting in general hospital settings. These measures aim to address the challenges unveiled by the study and provide better support for young individuals in need of urgent mental healthcare.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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