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?

I completely disagree. Maybe for some, but not for most. I think if anything, it should be a choice.

You disagree that young adults (16-19) do not need specialist paediatric care? Or that they are very different from small children?

Most hospitals follow the transition rules for teens up to 19 that allows them to have a parent stay with them on adult wards overnight if appropriate.

Agree it’s a mess though. Children’s hospitals try and transfer care at 16 and adult teams don’t really want to treat under 18s

This is definitely not a rule or law.
ive worked across two trusts who will place 16/17 year olds as appropriate- I’ve assessed them on children and adult wards. It’s a case by case basis.

sadly they do sometimes end up on the adult ward if there isn’t space on the children’s ward.

I disagree with your whole post. Pediatrics are not just filled with small children. They are filled with babies and kids up to 15.11. 16-18 year olds are regularly admitted to Great Ormond Street, requiring specialist pediatric care. When I was in hospital for a week aged 17, on an adult mixed ward, my rounds were done by a pediatrician.

@Kanaloa I also think you'd be one of the few 16 year olds to prefer a mixed adult ward to a kids one, when given the choice.

That's really interesting. Good to know. Thanks

I had my tonsils out in the Netherlands when I was 16, on a mixed ward but shared a room with just one older lady. Recovery after the operation was in a mixed ward.

Mixed wards are standard, but patients tend to have private rooms or share with 1 other patient (of the same sex). My grandparents were both hospitalised with covid at the same time, my grandad shared with an older gentleman and my grandma had a private room. Grandma really hated being alone.

I just remember my mom having to calm the lady down, she was sobbing because she was so afraid for her operation.

My DH had a 15 year old next to him when he was in hospital. The 15 year old had been stabbed in a fight so I suppose they weren’t happy to have him on paeds.

Even though he was on an adult ward his mum was allowed to stay with him. It was during covid when I couldn’t visit DH.

Out of interest, why would the adult team not want the under 18s?

That's so sad. I wonder if it's also because of the nature of his injuries.

You see 18 year olds regularly admitted needing specialist paediatric care? That’s surprising.

But I will say I don’t think I’d be massively unusual in saying that at 16-19 years old I would have felt uncomfortable on a children’s ward as I felt at that age I was very different to small children/ preschoolers.

It doesn't sound like a mixed ward if there's private rooms lol. The mixed wards here are 6 beds in a bay with privacy curtains you're discouraged from using in the day, and communal toilets.

Although I’m not sure why you’ve said I’d prefer mixed - I specifically said I disagree with mixed wards and I’ve never been in one myself other than in the emergency care immediately after A&E. I said I would, at age 16-19, preferred an adult ward. And I don’t think that would be hugely unusual.

I work In a pretty specialist area only 2 in country. We would try our best to have an under 18 in a single room (parent could stay) but not always necessary. Our ward is both sexes but never mixed rooms so at worst would be in with 3 other of same sex. I see no issue with his whatsoever

When I was 14 I was admitted to hospital and they had like two wards or two very different sections

One for babies - 8 year olds and another for 9-18 year olds. Not sure if they were also separated by sex. When I was there it was only girls in my room

I'd like to think that's how it's laid out now

I don't, no, I'm not a doctor. But they do. GOSH admits patients up to 17.11. I'm not sure why you think only small children and preschoolers get admitted to children's wards. My sister was surrounded by 13/14 year olds the other week. She's 15.

Yes, that's how I've seen it when my sister was admitted recently. The bay she was in was mostly teens/older kids. There was another bay with cots.
I don't see how in this setup you can't also have 16/17 year olds. Surely it's easier to just have a blanket 16/17 year olds in children's ward and option to go to adult if needed.
I also don't understand why 16/17 year olds have to use adult A&E.

I was more referring to you saying 18 year olds are regularly admitted needing specialist paediatric care. The fact that your 15 year old niece was on a children’s ward with other teens similar age doesn’t really add up with the ‘16-19 year olds do need specialist paediatric care.’

In our hospital on adult wards , we accommodate a parent staying with a 16-17 year old wherever possible. Visiting would certainly be relaxed. Not sure why so many people wouldn’t want this age group on a children’s/ young adolescent ward with their child though. I personally don’t view 16-17 age group as adults.

Spot the parent with small children! Wait till they're teens - esp if one's a girl. I guarantee you'll change your mind.

I had emergency surgery at 16. They asked me if I'd prefer adult or children's ward. I chose adult.

I said 16-18 year olds are regularly admitted to Great Ormond Street. Because they are. That's their policy. They slowly transfer out their patients to adult services between the ages of 16-18 I'd appropriate but equally you can be admitted there when you're in the 16-18 age bracket.
It's my sister, not niece, and I never said her being on a ward adds up to that. You're completely twisting my words. I'm not here to argue with you as you have nothing of value to add to this. You're not even answering my question. If you'd have been happy to sleep next to old dying men at 16, go figure. Most people wouldn't.

In my hospital, for elective care we would usually place a 16 or 17 yo in paeds and have two wards which we tend to use for babies and young children and then older children and teens. Older teens who wish to be on adult wards are permitted to be if they do not require paeds input eg. An older teen having an ACL repair would go to ortho adults if they wished

Exactly!! Some people on here seem to think children's wards are babies and kids under the age of 7. It's weird.