Acute Psychiatric Liaison

This service provides psychiatric cover to acute hospitals, including urgent mental health assessments and support for people admitted to the Emergency Department and general hospital wards with self-harm, mental health and substance misuse problems. Main part of the role consists of clinical risk assessments, risk management and consultation advice to patients, staff and relatives. The planning of care may include referral for further acute and community mental health care.

Key learning opportunities/skills development

• Gaining an understanding of signs and symptoms of mental ill health and how they are treated.
  
• Holistic assessment of needs, including the assessment of risk.
  
• Providing support to people in distress
  
• Understanding the relationship between physical illness and acute mental disturbance.
  
• Planning and implementation of care, including the management of risk.
  
• Clinical decision making.
  
• Communication and MDT working.
  
• Medication management.
  
• Record keeping.