Why does the UK have 16-17 year olds on adult wards?

[Dodgeitornot]

Just that. I've always been confused by it. As far as I know, most countries in Europe, or even the world, keep patients in pediatrics until they turn 18 or even 21. Why does the UK move them to adult wards so early? Isn't this a safeguarding risk?

Sorry I was a bit dramatic in my last post. Obviously if it was life/death they’d be in critical care.
It feels that way to me though sometimes as my child has a life threatening condition and can get very sick suddenly even on a ward. It often a feels life/death to me as his mama 😔

Yes you can

Your missing my point I didn't feel particularly comfortable with it.
But I really don't think 16/17 year old patients would feel that comfortable sleeping in a ward with other kids Mums and Dads or a 16/17 yo girl being in the next bed to a 16/17 yo boy.

The medical care and well-being of children should take priority. Whether they're 6 or 16. The way this looks may make some people uncomfortable but ultimately it's not the most important thing when you're in hospital. I don't think the current set up prioritises the wellbeing of 16-17 year olds across the board.

Totally understand how you feel my son was transferred to the general ward earlier in his stay for one night he was getting better but they moved him back to critical care for a further two weeks because his anxiety levels were so high ,they said that although there was not a clinical need for it he would recover better on critical care and he did as I said critical care were exceptional,they did move him back to the general ward for the last five nights of his admission because he was doing very well but we were fortunate it was open visiting and despite the care on the whole being less intensive than critical care( understandably) they were very aware he was only 16 and phoned us even if there was a slight change in his presentation ,it's a very worrying time when it's your child who is unwell
I hope your child receives the same exceptional care mine did if it's needed .

With "old men". Are you serious? How utterly ageist and sexist are you. Crawl back into a hole.

I'm currently in A&E with my 16yr D waiting for a bed. Told it will be on adult ward . I'm v stressed about it . Reason ? As an ex nurse (and used to work in this hospital on adult ward , but 15 yes ago and 16/17 yr went children's ward then )....they is no room for parent to stay and imagine the rule be not allowed . Yes she mature, 16 and dies a lot independent, but when she is she wants her mum . And I want be present to navigate the medical stuff with her and know nothing being missed (it already has ). And she is a typical teenager , shy with adults she doesn't know and will pretend to be ok when not . She has a severe infection but don't know where coming from . Am I expected to say goodbye to her when bed free and see her in the afternoon visiting?

And even if able to sit in chair adjacent overnight , in children's ward they cater for supporting kids AND YOUNG ADULTS to have parent/carer (and provide bed and drinks which is a bonus !).

Golly she still has parents eve in college, just left school and now faced with chaotic medical ward.

Kc

SmurfHaribos

Wow load of ignorance in your post. In our area you stay on pads in hospitals until you’re 18 and quite rightly so. My daughter has spent a lot of time on peads right up until the week she turned 18. She didn’t hate it, they have bays for teenagers and she absolutely did need and got play therapy.

Cos you can get married at 16, vote at 16, and are often the size of an adult, therefore not in need of paediatrics services.

and before you jump up and down at me, yes, it depends on what part of the UK you live in, but the above is true.

i was put in an adult ward at 13. I hated it.

I know how stressful this is my 16 year old was in adult critical care earlier this year , they did actually allow me to stay with him for the first six nights as he was so ill and only 16 and at the time still at school ( hes at college now)
Hoping your daughter has a speedy recovery.

Thank you soooo much ,x2boys, ...we are still in A&E department since 10.30pm last night with only chairs to sit in ...I asserted myself yet again and bed manager found a bed in a room which an over flow room . Apparently 20 people waiting for bed ! I'm so apprehensive about ward situation...but at this rate will be stuck here for duration!!

I was on a ward full of toddlers and small children when I was 14 and the way I was treated and spoken to made me feel uncomfortable and infantilised. I know, hospitals have much bigger problems than teenage feelings! But some kind of transition wards would be useful.

To a parent, your 16/17 year old is still very young and vulnerable, but from their perspective it looks a little different! I'd imagine very few see themselves as belonging with younger children, and their comfort when they're ill does matter.

I'm sorry to hear this, really hope she gets a bed soon but I completely understand you wanting to be with her.

No not wanting, her needing you

and we should be lobbying the NHS to make "young person" wards (16 - 19). When I had my tonsils out age 11 I was on the main childrens ward and there was a big curtained off alcove at the end of the ward with teenagers in it. That might be a good compromise- the teens don't feel like they are with the babies but aren't on an adult ward either.

WeaselKingHenry

No it isn’t true hence many many paed wards up and down the country being up until 18.

Very recent change in England, you still can in Scotland.You definitely can have sex with someone over 18 - just not your teacher!

Years ago a friend age 13 having a minor op, was given the choice and chose the adult ward. She felt she’d made the wrong choice as she was very bored.

Update - when the consultant came to review her in A&E he was without doubt that she should be on the children's ward and fortunately bed available and she is here on it. I was so relieved and having worked for many years on acute adult ward (in this hospital) back in 00's (when no 16/17 came to our ward) I know it def right. If she was here for a long time then maybe adult ward could be better but presently she a frightened teen feeling blimming unwell with raging infection and she suffers with anxiety (under camhs) and I know would not be able to assert herself if a problem. They have been so kind and looked after me too - which I obviously don't expect but blimey after an all nighter awake in chair with sick child it has been nice to have a cup of tea made and a comfy chair to sit on! Best wishes

I don't understand why they can't have a separate teen section on the children's ward. I would not feel comfortable with either of my children (who are not that age but nieces/nephews are) to be on a mixed ward. I certainly wouldn't leave them. Having experienced mixed wards and inappropriate comments from male patients myself. I wouldn't want my DD to be exposed to that.

I'm not sure on the answer but I understand the concerns of young children with older teens as well. When I was with my DS when he was younger a teen got quite violent verbally and physically. Fortunately I was with her. She was frightened and I did wonder why they were in the bed next to hers (she was 4 at the time.)

Questionsquestions134

Both our big local hospitals do. One even has a chill out room for them. The play therapists have loads of mindful teen activities they bring round too. They are superb with them as sadly both paed wards are often full of CAMHS teen patients right up until 18. Her ED nurse was based on the paed ward.If my dd had been put on an adult ward at 16 I think she’d either have ended up in inpatient of not be with us now.

Ideally we'd have seperate wards for teen girls and seperate wards for teen boys. As we don't have this, hospitals should be lenient when it comes to teenagers being treated on adult wards and let them have one parent with them at all times.

You can't get married or vote at 16! In England anyway

No you definitely can't

I know. But you can in Scotland, which is part of the UK - did you assume the OP was English?

I'm sorry to hear she had/is having a difficult time. I'm glad they offered good support at your local hospital, I think it's so important. X