Variations in the costs of child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient units.

Background Child and adolescent inpatient care is a highly specialised service, ideally requiring planning at a national level, but there are no routine data. collections specifically for these services. Aims To estimate unit costs for child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient Units and to analyse the variations in costs between units. Method Data collection alongside a national survey with cost estimations guided by principles drawn from economic theory. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are employed to identify cost influences. Results Fifty-eight units could provide sufficient data to allow calculation of the cost per in-patient day; mean=pound197 (s.d.=71.6; 1999-2000 prices).The management sector, type of provision, number of rooms, capacity and location explained nearly half of the cost variation. Conclusions Child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient units are an expensive resource, with personnel absorbing two-thirds ofthe total costs. Costs per in-patient day vary fourfold and the exploration of cost variations can inform commissioning strategies. Declaration of interest The Department of Health funded the study There were no competing interests.