Media release: Inspection report published for Scotland’s in-patient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
Healthcare Improvement Scotland, in conjunction with the Mental Welfare Commission, has today (Thursday 23 October) published a report following an unannounced inspection and visit to the Melville Inpatient Unit, NHS Lothian. The inspection and visit took place between 12–16 May 2025.
As part of this joint programme with the Mental Welfare Commission, we plan to inspect the three regional CAMHS services, as well as the national facility. The inspections will focus on identifying and minimising risks within the current environment, and providing robust public assurance.
Our organisation’s role in this joint commission was to carry out an inspection of the systems, leadership and governance, which all have a direct relationship to the experience of those receiving care and treatment, whilst the Mental Welfare Commission visit looked at the experiences of those receiving care and treatment.
Speaking of the report, Donna Maclean, Chief Inspector at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“We appreciate that elements of the full report will be distressing for people to read. However, it’s also important to note that during our inspection we observed positive interactions between staff and young people. Staff we spoke with were positive about working on the unit and newly registered nurses told us they felt well supported.
“Families we spoke with were grateful for care provided. However, they told us they felt that there could be more dietitian and psychology support.”
Chief Inspector, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Our findings resulted in 14 requirements for NHS Lothian. Areas for improvement included:
- consistent completion and review of care records,
- improved communication with young people and their families,
- improved maintenance of the environment to ensure staff and patient safety, and
- meaningful activity to be consistently provided for children and young people, including evenings and weekends.
In a joint statement, Julie Paterson, Chief Executive of the Mental Welfare Commission and Robbie Pearson, Chief Executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“Inpatient care provides intensive support for children and young people experiencing acute mental health crises and it is crucial such care meets both legal requirements and standards for the safe delivery of care. This report has identified areas for improvement as well as good practice. It is important the NHS Lothian addresses the recommendations and requirements with appropriate urgency.”
NHS Lothian have produced an action plan to address the requirements, and updates will be published alongside the full report.
The full inspection report is available at:https://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.scot/publications/royal-hospital-for-children-and-young-people-melville-inpatient-unit-safe-delivery-of-care-inspection-report-october-2025/
Ends
Notes to editor
There were 10 young people receiving care and treatment in the 12 bedded unit, nine who were in the unit throughout our visit, with the tenth young person being admitted later on during our fifth day. Given the timing of this admission, we reviewed the care of only those nine young people who had been in the Melville Unit throughout the week of our visit.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s statutory role is to help improve the quality of health and care, provide information to the public about the quality of health and care services, monitor public involvement, and to evaluate and provide advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of medicines and health technologies.