Increased admissions to paediatric wards with a primary mental health diagnosis: results of a survey of a network of eating disorder paediatricians in England

Introduction: A 2019 survey reported that 6% of the general paediatric inpatient beds in the UK were occupied by children and young people (CYP) with a primary mental health disorder.1 Data suggest a significant impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of CYP,2 3 with anecdotal reports of increased CYP with mental health problems in acute paediatric care, although the impact on inpatient care has not been studied. We surveyed a network of paediatricians with an interest in eating disorders about their experiences of inpatient admissions for mental health reasons in the first quarter of 2021.