The report shows that mental health assessment in emergency departments is associated with substantial delays especially for ‘out-of-hours’ assessment; and a ‘poverty of appropriate space’ across most emergency departments. It also includes references to prolonged and inappropriate placement in emergency departments of children seeking acute support.

This report outlines inconsistencies in the care for children presenting to emergency departments, with the survey pointing to persistent failures across the country to ensure timely access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) through many emergency units.

The Inspector’s report also recognises the scale of mental health services already provided in emergency departments, but notes that the difficulties within these departments will only be resolved through greater investment in community mental health services and in the hospital’s emergency departments.