DOI: 10.12968/jfch.2026.0093 ISSN: 3049-5210

The emergency department is no place for children with mental health problems

Dorothy Lepkowska

Analysis from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has revealed a 36% rise in children attending A&E with mental health concerns since 2019, with the steepest increase among 6–9-year-olds. Meanwhile, growing numbers face prolonged waits for appropriate support and specialist care. Dorothy Lepkowska explains

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