Service innovations: rethinking in-patient provision for adolescents

AIMS AND METHOD To evaluate the first 2 years of a new adolescent unit. RESULTS One-hundred and eighteen cases were admitted, with a broad range of diagnoses. Median length of stay was 33 days and 82% of admissions were urgent, of which 70% were admitted on the day of referral. A later study of 27 consecutive cases showed a mean improvement of 25% in the Children's Global Assessment Scale and 40% in the Child and Adolescent version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales scores. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS It is possible to provide an in-patient service for adolescents that includes all-hours emergency access, as well as catering for the full range of severe mental illness and a wide variation in length of stay.