G621(P) Multiagency assessment of young people with acute mental health crises admitted to a general paediatric ward

Abstract

Aims Young people increasingly present to acute paediatric services with acute mental health crises. We are a district general hospital that serves three large urban boroughs. Young people who present with acute mental health issues are discussed with CAMHS and are seen by their service immediately or on the next working day. Referral to children’s services is currently only made if there are specific safeguarding concerns. We sought to identify which teams contributed to the management of young people admitted with mental health crises and the impact on outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis of young people admitted with self harm, overdose, suicidal ideation, low mood and psychotic symptoms over a 3 month period from July to September 2018. Results There were 53 admissions of patients, who were aged 11–17 years. 2 patients were transferred from residential CAMHS Units following overdose. 16 patients had previous similar admissions to a general paediatric ward. 5 patients were admitted twice during the three month period. 21 patients had current CAMHS follow up. 3 patients required treatment with intravenous infusions. 6 patients were previously known to children’s services, 3 of whom were admitted twice during the period. These 6 patients had an average length of stay of 7.5 nights, compared to 2.5 nights for the whole group. A further 7 patients were referred to children’s services for the first time. 38 patients were discharged home with CAMHS outpatient support, 6 were newly transferred to an inpatient CAMHS unit (2 patients returned to their previous CAMHS unit) and 1 was discharged to a new foster carer. Conclusions The data we present highlights the need for multiagency assessment and management of young people with mental health crises both during their inpatient stay and also upon discharge, in order to seek to reduce the risk of further crises