This paper aims to explore difficulties with implementing lean into an organisation that faces a large degree of variability. In detail, the child and youth psychiatry ward within health care. A large number of health care systems have adapted lean as a way of working with patients, both on a national and regional level. Studies have previously been issued pointing out lean benefits within general health care, although the psychiatry division in specific has been unaddressed. This study applies a qualitative approach in gathering and analysing data; semi- structured interviews were issued with respondents in leader positions at a Swedish child and youth psychiatry ward. The results showed several factors that induced long patient waiting times, particularly variability in patients but also difficulties in predicting patient demand. These attributes have been showed to cause complications especially while working with lean according to previous literature. This study has therefore drawn the conclusion that organisations that face a large degree of variability might face problems if it chooses to adapt lean as a working method.