Mental Health liaison services provide mental health assessment and treatment for people who are inpatients in general hospitals or for those who may go to a general A&E department.

We see anyone who has been admitted to or is within A&E from the age of 17 years and up and are in need of mental health support, assessment or treatment. We see patients for assessment of mood disorders, psychotic illness, cognitive impairment, risk assessment and discharge planning. We will also organise Mental Health Act assessments and transfers to inpatient psychiatric facilities, if it is deemed necessary.

The service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is led by a consultant liaison psychiatrist or senior registrar on most days of the week, and it is run overnight by senior mental health nurses.