Children still being placed in adult psychiatric wards

One in five children or teens admitted to a mental health facility are still being placed in "inappropriate" adult wards — despite the policy being outlawed since 2011.

The still-unresolved situation has been detailed in the latest Mental Health Commission (MHC) annual report, which has warned that 91 children were subjected to the heavily criticised care last year. According to the document, during 2013, a total of 332 children were admitted to mental health facilities on 408 occasions — with 91 sent to adult wards for an average of 47 days because no other option was available.

The rate — 22.3% of child cases, is down from 107 (24.5%) in 2012 and 132 (30.7%) in 2011.