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Children still treated in adult psychiatric wards

1 min read Health
New figures show the government has failed to meet a target to prevent children being treated on adult psychiatric wards.

Official statistics show children were treated in adult wards on 23 days in 2008/09.

The figure represents a large reduction on 2006/07 (191 days) and 2007/08 when there were (375  days).


However, it means a commitment made in November 2006, to stop children under 16 receiving treatment on adult wards within two years, has not been met.


Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds, acknowledged government effort to reduce numbers but said more needs to be done.


"The figures are going in the right direction but the number should be zero," she said. "Treating children on adult wards is completely inappropriate.


"They are not going to get the services they need and it can potentially make them very vulnerable."

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