An alarming investigation has uncovered that vulnerable children are being sedated and transported on small aircraft to access NHS treatments, exposing a deepening crisis in paediatric mental healthcare.
The Mirror's probe reveals that critically ill children are being flown hundreds of miles due to severe shortages of specialist beds across England. This controversial practice has raised serious concerns among medical professionals and child welfare advocates.
Desperate Measures for Critical Care
Documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests show multiple instances of sedated children being moved via air transport when no appropriate local facilities could be found. The practice, described as "highly unusual" by experts, highlights the extreme pressures facing child and adolescent mental health services.
Medical professionals have expressed grave concerns about the safety implications of transporting sedated patients on small planes, which lack the medical facilities of dedicated air ambulances.
System Under Severe Strain
The investigation reveals that health trusts are spending millions on private hospitals and expensive transport solutions due to chronic underfunding and bed shortages. Some children have been sent over 300 miles from their homes to receive appropriate care.
One NHS trust reported spending nearly £80,000 in just three months on private ambulances and air transport for young patients. The figures underscore the desperate measures being taken to manage the growing crisis in children's mental healthcare.
Expert Warnings and Calls for Action
Leading paediatric specialists have condemned the situation, warning that transporting sedated children on non-medical aircraft poses significant risks. The revelations have prompted calls for urgent government action and increased funding for child mental health services.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the findings as "horrifying," while medical unions have called for immediate investment in specialist beds and community services to prevent such extreme measures being necessary.
The Department of Health and Social Care has acknowledged the challenges and stated that improving mental health services for young people remains a priority, though critics argue more urgent action is needed to address this growing humanitarian concern.
