WITH no dedicated NHS beds in South Yorkshire for adolescents with mental health problems, it seems there's the chance this region will not hit a Government target aimed at preventing a 'national scandal'.
That is how Prof Sir Al Aynsley-Green, the Children's Commissioner for England, describes the practice of treating adolescents alongside adults in psychiatric wards.
There are currently talks underway to overcome this issue, which is something of
a Cinderella problem in the health service. But it is now being given due prominence and publicity - though it is bewildering why this should have taken a Conservative Party request under the Freedom of Information Act to unveil the figures, showing 20 adolescents have been treated on adult wards in our county.
The Tories are making political capital of this, as is their right. But the health service was warned of this situation two years ago when Prof Aynsley-Green said, bluntly: "It wouldn't surprise me if children leave adult wards worse than when they went in."
That should have been enough for action then...we shouldn't be only at the talking stage now.
Serious side to laughter festivalSHEFFIELD Comedy Festival Grin Up North starts today and this year's line-up is better than ever. The Festival, which is self-funding, largely comes about because of the personal commitment of its two principal organisers, comedian Toby Foster and events organiser Scott Barton. To make it work they call in favours and make personal guarantees.
It is a great event for Sheffield and it deserves wider support so that it can progress to the next level and become a truly national and maybe even international event.
The festival already has modest support from a number of institutions and companies, but to put Sheffield firmly on the comedy map, the whole city needs to be behind it. The potential dividends for Sheffield's economy, tourism and profile are huge. It is an opportunity ready to be seized.
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