Far from Home: Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Care Access

This project investigates the practice of admitting young people with mental health difficulties to general adolescent units far from home or to adult wards.

Often young individuals – aged 13-17 – require specialised psychiatric inpatient care, but the scarcity of local services means they are placed either over 50 miles away or in settings designed for adults.

This study, led by experts in child and adolescent psychiatry, seeks to quantify the extent of these practices and their impact on the young people involved, their families, and the NHS.

By using national surveillance data and conducting interviews with affected families and healthcare professionals, the research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current admissions practices.

The ultimate goal is to inform better clinical practices, guidelines, and service planning, ensuring that young people receive the most appropriate and supportive care possible, minimising risks associated with distant or inappropriate admissions.