Distribution and characteristics of in-patient child and adolescent mental health services in England and Wales.

<bold>Background: </bold>Little is known about the current state of provision of child and adolescent mental health service in-patient units in the UK.<bold>Aims: </bold>To describe the full number, distribution and key characteristics of child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient units in England and Wales.<bold>Method: </bold>Following identification of units, data were collected by a postal general survey with telephone follow-up.<bold>Results: </bold>Eighty units were identified; these provided 900 beds, of which 244 (27%) were managed by the independent sector. Units are unevenly distributed, with a concentration of beds in London and the south-east of England. The independent sector, which manages a high proportion of specialist services and eating disorder units in particular, accentuates this uneven distribution. Nearly two-thirds of units reported that they would not accept emergency admissions.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>A national approach is needed to the planning and commissioning of this specialist service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]