"No kids will be admitted to adult units'

No children under 18 will be admitted to an adult in-patient psychiaric unit after December 2011, according to the Mental Health Commission.

The Commission said today these admissions will be phased out, and since July 1 last, no child under 16 could be admitted to such centres.

It said from December 1 2010 this will apply to those under 17 and from December 2011 to those under 18.

It was reported today that the number of children admitted to adult psychiatric units increased last year due to a lack of appropriate facilities for them.

The HSE has said it is acting on plans to expand mental health facilities for children and adolescents.

[Posted: Thu 27/08/2009]