Information is not available in either the format or time frame requested. However, the number of bed days on adult psychiatric wards of patients aged 16 or 17 and those children under 16 is in the following table for the two years for which figures are available.
2005-06 2006-07 Patients aged under 16 353 201 Patients age 16 or 17 29,306 19,988
Due to the statistical basis for collecting this information changing between the two years, the figures are not directly comparable.
The Mental Health Act 2007 contains a provision (section 31) that ensures that patients aged under 18 are treated in an environment in hospital, which is suitable having regard to their age (subject to their needs). The NHS operating framework which was published recently also reinforces this commitment.
The Government have made a commitment to commence this provision in England by April 2010. Capital funding of £31 million has been provided in 2007-08 for 17 projects specifically designed to help eliminate the inappropriate use of adult psychiatric wards for children and young people.