IS THERE A MARKET FOR REGIONAL UNITS IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT-PSYCHIATRY

Background An analysis of the demand for the services of a sub-regiona l Family and Young Persons Unit which offers both in-patient and out-p atient treatment for children and adolescents with psychiatric, emotio nal or psychological problems was performed. Methods Interviews were h eld and questionnaires were sent to representatives of the principal a nd potential users of the service both within the local district and b eyond. Results The results demonstrated unmet demand for outpatient se rvices but only limited demand for in-patient services in some distric ts. The role of market research in the new National Health Service and some of the difficulties of applying it are discussed. The implicatio ns of the findings for both the Family and Young Persons Unit and for child and adolescent psychiatry are considered. Conclusion It is concl uded that the effect of the market may be to bring about the closure o f regional units unless there is intervention to protect them.