Children in mental health crisis waiting up to three days in A&E for specialist bed in England
Children in mental health crises in England are facing significant delays in receiving appropriate care, often waiting up to three days in A&E for a specialist bed. The Royal College of Nursing has described this situation as a 'catastrophic system-wide failure' of NHS mental health services. With rising numbers of under-18s seeking help, there is an urgent call for improved mental health emergency units to better serve these vulnerable patients.
- ▪NHS figures reveal that children in mental health crisis are spending up to three days in A&E before getting a bed in a specialist unit.
- ▪The Royal College of Nursing reported that the number of under-18s waiting at least 12 hours for admission has more than trebled since 2019.
- ▪A&E is increasingly seen as an inappropriate setting for children with mental health concerns, exacerbating their trauma.
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One nurse said long waits were ‘extremely distressing’ for the patients involved and for the staff looking after them. Photograph: Nick Moore/AlamyView image in fullscreenOne nurse said long waits were ‘extremely distressing’ for the patients involved and for the staff looking after them. Photograph: Nick Moore/AlamyMental healthChildren in mental health crisis waiting up to three days in A&E for specialist bed in EnglandNurses’ union criticises ‘catastrophic system-wide failure’ in NHS as more under-18s getting stuck in emergency wardsDenis Campbell Health policy editorWed 20 May 2026 02.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleChildren and young people in England having a mental health crisis are spending up to three days in an A&E unit before they get a bed in a specialist unit, NHS…
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