ABSTRACT
There has been major public and political interest in access to inpatient beds for children and young people over the last few years. Scandal stories about children in police cells and parents travelling many miles from home to visit their children in hospital have prompted debate and concern about access to help for young people in crisis. However, it is not just a lack of beds that has been in the spotlight. The staffi ng, skill mix and quality of inpatient care for children and young people has also been called into question. As nurses make up the biggest professional group in inpatient CAMHS, they have key roles to play in addressing these concerns.
