The number of psychiatric beds for adolescents in Scotland needs to nearly double to meet the demands of new mental health laws, a report due out this month will reveal.
The Scottish Executive's Child Health Support Group's report will say that at least 60 adolescent beds are needed to ensure all under-18s receive "age-appropriate" services as required by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act, which takes effect in April. A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said it plans to examine the cost and feasibility of the expansion.
"Some young people may still be cared for in adult wards, but in an age-appropriate way with trained staff," she added.
Patrick Little, national development manager for young people's services at mental health charity Penumbra, said more emphasis was needed on early community intervention.
