Enhancing the care of children and young people with mental health issues

Children and young people with mental health needs have been long been cared for in specialist facilities to ensure patient safety. Currently, there are not enough beds available for these service users, and children and young people with mental health needs are now being placed onto children’s wards in general hospitals. Early intervention has been the key in ensuring children and young people are able to lead a fulfilling life, however with current funding being only 6.4% of the National Health Services mental health budget, the ability to help at a young age appears unlikely. There is a lack of education provided for healthcare professionals, with many feeling unable to care for these service users the way they need caring for. The creation of clinical practice guidelines for healthcare professionals to follow would increase patient safety, furthermore, implementation of post graduate education on mental health for children’s nurses will ensure service users are being cared for with improved patient outcomes. The revised Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards will ensure newly qualified nurses gain an insight into caring for service users with mental illness before they enter the workforce