The "conspiracy of silence" over the "unacceptable" state of mental health care on the NHS has been challenged by the Liberal Democrats.

A motion pledging to end mixed sex wards in mental health hospitals and calling for a ban on youngsters being forced to receive treatment alongside adults was backed by members at the party conference in Bournemouth.

The same level of care should be given to people suffering from mental health problems as those suffering from physical conditions, health spokesman Norman Lamb said.

"There is almost a conspiracy of silence from political parties and from the media in simply refusing to talk about the unacceptable state of our mental health services," he said.

"The state of many of our in-patient mental health wards is intolerable. They are dreadful. Hidden from public view, they would never be tolerated if they were in our local general hospital."

Mr Lamb added: "I know that this is a spending commitment but be very clear, these demands have to be achieved within the £100 billion that we spend on
the NHS. "In a civilised society nothing else will do."

The plans would include an "absolute prohibition" on anyone under 18 being placed on an adult ward and an end to mixed sex wards.

Eve Piffaretti, Head of Morgan Cole's Health and Social Care team, comments:

The provision of age appropriate accommodation for child patients has long been the subject of debate , not least due to concerns that a child's health and safety may be put at risk by the practice of placements on adult psychiatric wards. Changes to UK mental health legislation made by the Mental Health Act 2007 attempt to promote care and treatment for both detained and informal child patients by placing a duty on hospital managers to ensure that the hospital environment of a child patient is suitable having regard to their age (subject to their needs). This duty does not come in to force until April 2010 and is not absolute.

Morgan Cole provides specialist advice on all aspect of Mental Health Law, including the changes that have been brought in by the Mental Health Act 2007. Further advice and information on the legal implications of the duty to provide age appropriate treatment and provision of treatment and care on mixed sexed wards can be obtained from Eve Piffaretti.