Revision of mental health guidance

The Mental Health Act's revised code of practice offers hospital managers advice on their forthcoming duty to provide children and young people with appropriate accommodation, which comes into force in April 2010. The advice also emphasises the importance of continued access to education for children.

Sarah Brennan, the new chief executive of YoungMinds, said: "What is essential now is to ensure the guidance is implemented so young people's experience of specialist units and treatment is a positive one.

"Further work is also needed to explore how to practically implement guidance such as ensuring children and young people have access to the same educational provision as their peers."

The revised code of practice will come into force on 3 November.

- www.cypnow.co.uk/doc.