The number of adolescents who were admitted to adult mental health wards in each health board in each of the last five years is detailed in the following table.
EHSSB NHSSB SHSSB WHSSB NI total 2002 31 26 24 37 118 2003 25 18 19 38 100 2004 31 20 19 38 108 2005 19 15 14 26 74 2006 16 9 8 31 64 Notes: 1. Figures are based on calendar years. 2. Adolescents have been classed as those aged 14 to 17 inclusive. Source: HSS Boards
Mental health in-patient services for adolescents are provided in only one trust in Northern Ireland, that being South and East Belfast HSS trust.
There are insufficient beds at present to meet demand. Only five beds are currently open in the interim inpatient unit at Knockbracken (South and East Belfast HSS trust) due to staffing difficulties, although the unit has capacity for eight beds with the potential to eventually move to 12 beds. The situation is kept under active review with the aim of increasing the number of beds as soon as possible.
There are plans to build a new 18-bed mental health adolescent in-patient unit to replace the existing inpatient facilities at Knockbracken. This is due to be completed in 2008-09. This unit will help alleviate the current problem of insufficient provision of in-patient beds for this service.
Source:
South and East Belfast HSST and Mental Health Unit (DHSSPS)