The Psychiatric Care of Children in a Teaching Hospital

1. An in-patient psychiatric service for children in a general hospital can be maintained on an open setting in conjunction with other medical units. 2. It should be small in size, probably from eight to fourteen children. 3. Maximum age range should not extend beyond twelve years. 4. Sex ratio to be expected is two males to one female. 5. With one aide on the 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. shift, a ratio of one staff to one patient on the remaining two eight-hour shifts is required. 6. All diagnostic categories and degrees of disturbances can be treated providing the milieu of the ward is taken into account. 7. Effective operation requires ample space and a closely coordinated outpatient service. 8. Good inter-departmental relations, particularly between the departments of paediatrics and psychiatry, are essential. 9. Effective communication between staff and children is essential for operation. 10. The unit described can deal with between 75 - 100 children per year.