Minor hospitalized in adult psychiatric ward due to bed shortage

The PASYDY Mental Health Nursing Staff Branch has expressed their deep concern about the hospitalization of a minor at the Athalassa Hospital, due to a lack of beds in the Children and Adolescent Inpatient Department, which could lead to overcrowding of all mental health structures. They highlighted the fact that the conditions of hospitalization at the Athalassa Hospital are not suitable for minors, and the hospitalization of a minor with adults would be a traumatic experience, which could further worsen the child's already burdened mental health. The branch immediately took all the necessary actions to find a solution, so that the specific person would be hospitalized at the Children and Adolescent Inpatient Department but unfortunately their efforts were unsuccessful. The Supervisory Committee for Mentally Health and the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights were informed of this specific event.

The PASYDY Mental Health Nursing Staff Branch also pointed out that the problem of the rapid increase in admissions of people with mental problems, especially in the post-Covid era, is not limited only to the Athalassa Hospital but also concerns other structures of the Mental Health Services. They have been warning about the expected increase in admissions and the visible risk of overcrowding of all structures, and unfortunately, their predictions are being verified. They called on all the competent bodies to take appropriate actions to deal with the rapid increase in admissions to both the Athalassa Hospital and the rest of the Mental Health Services' hospital structures effectively and efficiently, in order to ensure the provision of the best possible care to patients.

Source: CNA