Out-of-area psychiatric admissions for children and adolescents are associated with increased emergency department presentations and non-mental health-related hospital admissions up to 60 months post-discharge.
No significant association was found between out-of-area admission and subsequent mental health-related hospital admissions, suggesting differing service trajectories.
Demographic and clinical factors, including ethnicity, prior hospitalizations, diagnosis, and state care status, also influence future health service use in this population.
Findings emphasize the need for integrated physical and mental health service planning for young people following out-of-area inpatient care.
