Careful consideration should be given to alternative services
capable of meeting the needs of the child or young person including
intensive community treatment services
,
where available. However, there will be occasions when inpatient
admission is the most appropriate course of action.
When inpatient admission is required,
this should be as brief as necessary, and the aims of the admission
stated and agreed. In the event of emergency admission, reducing
the risk of harm to the child or young person is paramount. Due to
the nature of emergency admissions, it may not be possible to carry
out a specialist mental health assessment at this time. Wherever
possible, the child or young person should have access to
appropriate care in an environment suited to their age and
development.
When a child or young person is
unavoidably placed on a
paediatric
or adult mental health ward there should
be collaboration and joint working between child health, adult
mental health and CAMH professionals. The shared aim should be to
ensure a timely and appropriate placement, if required, in a child
or adolescent inpatient unit.
Discharge from hospital or transfer of
care from one setting to another are areas where the continuity of
care can break down, especially if inadequate information is
transferred. Discharge planning should begin as early as possible
from the time of admission and should involve the multi-agency and
multidisciplinary team
around the child or young
person and their parents/carers.
Discharge and/or transfer should be a seamless process,
ensuring that appropriate services are in place to support the
child or young person. Discharge and/or transfer plans need to be
well co-ordinated based on the child or young person’s assessed
needs, reviewed regularly, and include ongoing risk assessment and
management. This can only be done through effective planning and
communication.