Inpatient units for children and adolescents with mental health problems continue to face recruitment problems, particularly with nursing staff, a new study reveals, writes Katie Leason.
The report from mental health charity YoungMinds said that staff shortages can have a negative impact on services, with staff having less time to spend with young people, and units being restricted in the range of activities and treatments they can offer.
It suggests the recruitment difficulties are made worse by the perceived stress of working in inpatient units, and the lack of professional development opportunities.
The report recommends that traditional approaches to staffing "need to be rethought", and proposes that other professionals such as youth workers are used to allow units to provide appropriate daily activities.
The report identifies ongoing problems with the availability of CAMHS beds and gaps in provision, as well as restricted physical space and poor layout in some units. It recommends an increase nationally in the number of inpatient beds as well as a particular focus on the availability of age appropriate inpatient services for 16-25s.
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