RQIA Independent Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health ...
RQIA Independent Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health ...
RQIA Independent Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health ...
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Chapter 3: Pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> CAMHS in Northern Irel<strong>and</strong><br />
3.1 Pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> Belfast <strong>and</strong> South Eastern HSC Trusts<br />
The Belfast <strong>Health</strong> <strong>and</strong> Social Care Trust became operational on 1 April<br />
2007, following a merger <strong>of</strong> six community <strong>and</strong> hospital trusts. CAMHS in<br />
the south eastern area is also managed by the Belfast Trust. Belfast has a<br />
total population <strong>of</strong> 334,528 <strong>and</strong> it is estimated that 75,194 are under the age<br />
<strong>of</strong> 18 years. The South Eastern Trust has an estimated under 18 population<br />
<strong>of</strong> 80,778 (Source: Northern Irel<strong>and</strong> Statistical Research Agency (NISRA)).<br />
The Belfast/South Eastern CAMHS provide a service for age groups 0-18<br />
years. Beechcr<strong>of</strong>t, the regional adolescent <strong>and</strong> children’s unit is the only tier<br />
4 inpatient service in Northern Irel<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> is located within the Belfast Trust.<br />
This is a new campus which opened in May 2010 on the Foster Green<br />
Hospital site. Prior to the opening <strong>of</strong> this facility adolescents were placed in<br />
Donard Ward, Knockbracken <strong>Health</strong>care Park, <strong>and</strong> children where admitted<br />
to Minnowburn child <strong>and</strong> family centre based in Belfast. This new facility has<br />
increased the capacity for admission from 12 to 18 adolescent inpatients<br />
beds, including two intensive nursing support beds. In addition there are also<br />
15 children’s beds but these may be used for younger adolescents where<br />
developmentally appropriate, the cut <strong>of</strong>f age between the two wards being<br />
14/15 years. <strong>Child</strong>ren <strong>and</strong> young people are admitted to the regional<br />
inpatient unit from across Northern Irel<strong>and</strong> for assessment <strong>and</strong> management<br />
<strong>of</strong> complex mental health problems, uncontainable risk <strong>and</strong> for children <strong>and</strong><br />
young people that cannot be assessed or safely treated in the community.<br />
The trust accepts emergency <strong>and</strong> elective referrals from age 0-18 years.<br />
Community CAMH services at tier 3 include a specialist Eating Disorder<br />
Team, Crisis Assessment <strong>and</strong> Intervention Team (CAIT) <strong>and</strong> an Addictions<br />
Team. CAIT provides rapid assessment <strong>and</strong> intervention to children <strong>and</strong><br />
young people with acute mental disorder, self harm or suicidal ideation, who<br />
present at accident <strong>and</strong> emergency departments or to their general<br />
practitioner. This service is available between 9.00am-9.00pm <strong>and</strong> includes<br />
a partnership with all emergency departments in the Belfast <strong>and</strong> South<br />
Eastern area for same day/next day assessments <strong>of</strong> those aged 0-18 years.<br />
The eating disorder service is a specialist CAMH service providing treatment<br />
<strong>and</strong> family support for young people who reside in Belfast <strong>and</strong> South Eastern<br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>and</strong> Social Care Trusts. The Eating Disorder Team also provides a<br />
consultation service to community <strong>and</strong> in-patient CAMHS.<br />
The addiction service Drug <strong>and</strong> Alcohol <strong>Mental</strong> <strong>Health</strong> Service (DAMHS) is a<br />
specialist CAMH service for Belfast <strong>and</strong> South Eastern Trusts providing a<br />
range <strong>of</strong> services for young people who have a significant substance misuse<br />
<strong>and</strong>/or mental health difficulty (aged from 0-18).<br />
Community CAMHS in the Belfast <strong>and</strong> South Eastern area have four<br />
outpatient teams which include: a clinic at Royal Victoria Hospital, for those<br />
aged 0-14; a young person’s centre at College Gardens <strong>and</strong> at 88 Lisburn<br />
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