The age of onset of mental health problems is becoming younger and the severity of illness presentation throws lots of challenges for health professionals and service providers. Currently there are only four recognised Psychiatric intensive care units in England.

Little data is available regarding the characteristics of patients referred and treated in adolescentPICU's. This presents a challenge for clinicians and service providers for delivery of care for this patient group and developing care pathways. The main objective of this study to get a better understanding of the young people referred to help optimise care whilst in hospital and develop appropriate care pathwaysAimsThe study aims at identifying demographic, diagnostic characteristics and care pathways for young people admitted to an adolescent PICU.

A retrospective case note study was undertaken of all the patients admitted over three years since opening of the adolescent PICU at Cheadle Royal hospital.

Data was collected from all the young people admitted to the ward between April 2007 and April 2010.Information regarding demographics including age of presentation, gender characteristics, ethnicity and area of referral were looked. The authors looked at the care pathways including reasons for referral, where admitted from, risk issues on admission, diagnostic criteria and discharge pathways.

This study has highlighted the widely held impression that there are still gaps in adolescent crisis provisions and the need for further acute interventions. The study highlights the challenges for service providers the current gaps in care pathways for young people with multiple diagnosis and lack of adequate crisis interventions in the community.