Child spent three weeks in adult psych unit

A child in need of in-patient psychiatric care was placed in an adult unit for three weeks even though there was an empty bed in a nearby child and adolescent unit — because staff were unaware of the vacancy.

The youngster was placed in the 46-bed South Lee Mental Health Unit in Cork University Hospital (CUH) where there were no procedures in place for education, contrary to statutory regulations.

The controversial placing of children in adult psychiatric units is continuing, according to the findings of a number of reports published yesterday by the Inspector of Mental Health Services. This is despite the fact the practice has been repeatedly condemned by mental health and childcare experts. The reports also show that: