Report highlights concerns over use of restraint in children's mental health unit
Concerns are being raised about the use of physical restraint and forced tube feeding in Edinburgh's inpatient mental health ward for children and young people.
It follows an unannounced inspection at the Melville Unit by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland together with Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
NHS Lothian says a "robust action plan" is in place to address the report's recommendations.
It comes after minister Maree Todd pledged to step up inspections of Scotland's mental health units in response to cruelty allegations at Skye House in Glasgow.
The 12-bed unit, which is housed in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh, cares for young people aged between 12 and 17 with a number of mental health conditions.
The report said the use of nasogastric tube feeding under restraint "requires further inquiry and improvement by the service".
It accepted that restraint is needed in some circumstances but noted physical health checks were not carried out afterwards, as well as poor record-keeping.
Nicola Killean, Children and Young People's Commissioner for Scotland, said: "I'm deeply concerned about the findings from the Mental Welfare Commission into the care of children at Melville Unit, which highlight potential rights breaches including the safe and lawful use of restraint.
"This is further worrying evidence about the use of restraint on children living in some of the most vulnerable situations.
"Alongside partners I have been raising my concerns with the Scottish Government about the use of restraint on children in mental health provision for over two years."
READ MORE: MSP appears in court accused of voyeurism and possession of indecent images
NHS Lothian's deputy chief executive Jim Crombie says the safety and care of young people and staff is always their top priority.
He said: “We want to reassure young people and families that we are committed to delivering safe, high-quality and effective care and we take the findings of the report extremely seriously.
“We introduced an initiative to reduce the use of restraint further, which was observed by HIS during the inspection, and has shown positive results. Systems are also in place to improve the recording, monitoring and auditing of restraints.
“We continue to prioritise this work by training and educating staff in safe restraint, wider care planning, managing distress, responding to violence and aggression and supporting young people in their future care, including those who require essential nasogastric tube feeding.
“We want to thank staff for their ongoing dedication and HIS and MWC for their expertise and guidance in shaping improvements to the mental health care of young people. We will welcome any forthcoming national guidance or best practice from these essential reviews.”