A recent report has highlighted severe deficiencies at the Northern Territory's only youth mental health inpatient facility, revealing that it fails to meet 16 national safety standards. This facility, which operates an eight-bed ward for acute mental health patients under 18, has been criticized for posing significant risks to both patients and staff. The report, obtained via Freedom of Information laws, was commissioned by NT Health following five critical incidents in the Youth Inpatient Program (YIP) at Royal Darwin Hospital. Despite a surge in patient admissions—rising from an expected 50 to 95 in 2023—the facility has seen a reduction in clinical staff, including youth workers and psychologists. Experts, including Professor Patrick McGorry, have condemned the lack of resources for youth mental health, labeling it a national scandal. The report recommends either substantial financial investment to upgrade the existing facility or the construction of a new one to meet safety standards. Although NT Health claimed to have made some upgrades, specific details about improvements and funding remain unclear, raising concerns about the facility's ongoing suitability for treatment.