A survey of liaison psychiatry services in general hospitals and accident and emergency departments: Do we have the balance right?

Abstract

Aims and method: By use of a telephone survey, we aimed to investigate liaison psychiatry services of all 29 general hospitals in Greater London. We specifically enquired about services to accident and emergency (A&E) departments. Results: We identified wide variations in staffing, working hours and patient groups seen. Fourteen services (48%) worked over 24 h and 4 (14%) had specific A&E teams. Twelve services (41%) had established or planned working links with community crisis services. Clinical implications: Generally staff numbers fell below national recommendations and there were frequent gaps in service provision. The recent focus on emergency care has lead to an increase in A&E services, but there is a risk that liaison psychiatry services for other general hospital patients are being neglected.