Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Non-acute specialist mental health community services, Training - mental health

Regions

Waikato

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

Referral Types

DHB clinical services

Referral Process

Entry criteria:

• Those in the general hospital who are existing patients of Mental Health & Addiction Service (MH&AS) or
• General hospital inpatients who may have a psychiatric symptom or
• Limited out-patient facilities on an individual basis or as part of follow-up post hospital engagement and subsequent discharge. 

Description

What is Consultation-Liaison?

Consultation (assessment): 

• CLP responds to referrals from hospital wards. The patient is assessed at the bedside where a management plan is formulated. 
• Organising psychiatric or psychological follow-up
• Provides psychological expertise and support to medical ward teams in the care of mentally disturbed patients. This includes a role in the support of staff that have been traumatised by distressed and mentally impaired medical patients, including verbal or physical abuse or assault.

Liaison:

• CLP staff attend unit meetings, clinical reviews, case discussions and educational activities. The CLP clinician in liaison role aims to facilitate early identification of referrals, improve mental health awareness and skills and provide support in the management of complex care of patients. 

• CLP members also act as a resource to the hospital for mental health related projects, education and policy development aimed at improving patients’ mental health care.