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Objectives CYP presenting with MH crises are frequently admitted to general acute paediatric wards as a place of safety, despite centres not always having MH resources or training.1 The management of CYP MH problems is a primary challenge for acute paediatric services,2 further exacerbated by the rise in MH problems amongst CYP during the COVID-19 pandemic3; high risk MH problems increased from 1-in-9 in 2017 to 1-in-6 in 2021, and risk of eating problems doubled over that same period.4 The overarching aim of MAPS is to improve care of children and young people (CYP) presenting in a mental health (MH) crisis admitted to acute paediatric settings. MAPS contains three distinct empirical studies to triangulate data sources. This (second) study aims to investigate factors influencing decisions to admit CYP to paediatric wards for primary MH problems, including why possible alternative services were not used, characterise the care given, treatment outcomes, and subsequent service use. Methods 15 sites (children's hospitals and district general hospitals) were purposively selected for geographic spread (4 from northern regions, 4 from midlands and east, 4 from southeast and London, and 3 from southwest). Primary MH admissions data is being prospectively reported by paediatric teams at acute paediatric wards across England. A secure reporting tool (REDCap) is being used to collect and store data. The case report form was developed by the MAPS team, informed by a systematic review and MAPS stakeholder input. All eligible cases will be reported over a 6-month period at all sites. Results Data collection began between September and November 2023 staggered across sites. Based on admissions data, percentage of most deprived ranged from Conclusion Findings will be applied using a Theory of Change approach (ToC), in combination with stakeholder perspectives, to provide recommendations and interventions at policy and practice level to improve CYP MH care. Effective delivery necessitates the facilitation of more integrated physical and MH pathways of care. References Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Role of paediatricians in supporting children and young people's mental health – position statement. Report, 2020. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. A snapshot of general paediatric services and workforce in the UK. Report, 2020. Ford T, John A, Gunnell D. Mental health of children and young people during pandemic. BMJ, 2021;372. NHS Digital. Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2021: Wave 2 follow up to the 2017 survey: NHS Digital, Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2021.
Hudson et al. (Tue,) studied this question.