Inpatient census 2018: parts one and two

3. Children and young people (all patients aged under 18)

• 57 patients in the 2018 Census were aged under 18
• 20 patients were aged 15 or under, 37 were aged 16 to 17
• 51 out of 57 patients aged under 18 were in either a Children's Unit or Young Person's unit

This section of the report looks at patients in the Census aged under 18, regardless of whether they receive a Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). The total patient population is smaller than that described in other sections so information is presented at a high level only.

• There were 57 mental health, addiction or learning disability inpatients aged under 18 at the 2018 Census. This compares with 37 in 2017, 55 in 2016 and 50 in 2014.
• These patients were mostly treated in Regional Services located in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Tayside.
• 38 (67%) patients aged under 18 were referred by a Community Mental Health Service. Most admissions, 34 (60%), were for the reason "Therapeautic/Clinical Crisis".
• There were 51 patients treated in a Children's or Young People's Unit. There were 54 available beds for these wards at the 2018 Census.
• 20 (35%) patients were aged 15 or under, while 37 (65%) were aged 16 to 17.
• 89% of patients were seen by a consultant who specialised in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
• The average (median) number of days since admission at the time of the Census for young people was 62 days. This is 16 days longer than reported in 2017.
• 39 patients aged under 18 (68%) had "formal" status at the Census. Patients who have been detained under the provisions of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act of 2003 are defined as having "Formal" status.
• 21 (37%) patients aged under 18 had an autistic spectrum disorder, while 16 (28%) had a diagnosis of a behavioural syndrome. Other diagnoses were recorded for small numbers of patients. Patients can have more than one condition.