Children Detained Under the Mental Health Act Held for Hours in A&E Departments, Across the UK, an alarming trend is emerging: children experiencing severe mental health crises are spending hours—sometimes entire nights—in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments after being detained under the Mental Health Act.
This issue highlights serious gaps in mental-health infrastructure, emergency planning, and child-centred care.
Why Children End Up in A&E for Hours
Under the Mental Health Act 1983, a child in acute mental distress can be detained for their own safety or the safety of others. Ideally, they should be quickly transferred to a specialist mental-health facility.
However, growing demand and limited inpatient psychiatric beds mean many young people are left waiting in overstretched emergency departments.
Key reasons include:
- Shortage of specialist beds in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
- Insufficient crisis intervention teams available overnight or on weekends.
- Workforce shortages—both in mental health and paediatric nursing.
A 2024 report by NHS Providers revealed that some children wait over 12 hours for appropriate placement, a figure that continues to rise.
Emotional and Physical Impact on Young Patients
Spending long hours in a noisy, high-stress A&E environment can worsen a child’s mental-health crisis.
- Heightened anxiety: Bright lights, alarms, and lack of privacy can intensify distress.
- Interrupted treatment: Waiting delays assessment and stabilisation.
- Family strain: Parents or carers often remain at the bedside for hours, unsure of next steps.
Mental-health advocates argue that prolonged A&E stays can feel like “secondary trauma,” eroding trust in the healthcare system.
Systemic Pressures on the NHS
Emergency departments are designed for rapid physical triage, not complex psychiatric care. Doctors and nurses often lack specialised training in paediatric mental health, creating extra stress for staff and patients alike.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that “boarding” young patients in A&E is unsafe and unsustainable.
Possible Solutions
Healthcare leaders and policymakers are proposing several measures:
- Expand CAMHS capacity: Increase dedicated mental-health beds and community crisis services.
- 24/7 crisis hubs: Provide safe, non-clinical spaces for assessment and support outside of A&E.
- Integrated training: Equip A&E staff with basic paediatric mental-health skills.
- Early intervention: Strengthen school-based counselling and community outreach to reduce crises before they escalate.
These strategies require long-term investment but promise better outcomes for children and families.
How Parents and Guardians Can Respond
While systemic change takes time, families can take immediate steps:
- Know your rights: Understand the Mental Health Act provisions for minors.
- Seek community resources: Local mental-health charities often offer crisis helplines and advocacy.
- Document the process: Keeping detailed notes can support formal complaints or future care plans.
Related Resources
YoungMinds Charity – Offers practical help for parents and young people: youngminds.org.uk
NHS Mental Health Services for Children and Teens – Visit the official NHS guide
