• P Callaghan, S Eales, L Leigh, A Smith, and J Nichols.
• Department of Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing, City University, London, UK. patrick@city.ac.uk
• J Adv Nurs. 2001 Sep 1;35(6):812-8.

Aim Of The StudyTo analyse the work of a liaison mental health service at the Accident and Emergency (A & E) department of a hospital in East London.BackgroundThe English National Service Frameworks (NSF) for Mental Health recommend that A & E departments provide liaison mental health services and this study reports how a service in East London is responding to this challenge.Research MethodsData were collected during a 14-month period using a specially designed audit form.ResultsThe typical referral was aged 36, of either sex, United Kingdom (UK) non-White with a diagnosis of depression. The majority of referrals were in the afternoon and seen immediately. A slight majority were known to mental health services; many were new referrals. Older and male clients were more likely, and Bengali and other Asian clients were less likely, to be registered with a psychiatrist. There were seasonal variations in referral type. Emergency referrals tended to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia; urgent and non-urgent referrals were more likely to be depressed. The outcome for the majority of referrals was referral to appropriate community services. The majority of non-clinical referrals were for advice, information and support.Discussion And ConclusionsThe service seems a useful resource for A & E staff, and clients with mental health problems. The service is a channel through which people access mental health services and appears to address the NSF for Mental Health.

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