Abstract
Data on day time referrals to a liaison psychiatry team from an inner London accident and emergency department (A&E) were analysed over a two-year period. Despite the availability of local community-based alternatives for urgent assessment almost 5000 patients were seen. A quarter were self-referrals and two-thirds had had no previous contact with psychiatric services. The most common reason for referral was aggressive or disruptive behaviour. Characteristics of patients in this inner-city population suggest a continuing need for a high quality liaison service to the A&E department.
Highlights
Data on day time referrals to a liaison psychiatry team from an inner London accident and emergency department (A&E) were analysed over a two-year period
A quarter were self-referrals and two-thirds had had no previous contact with psychiatric services
Referrals include patients who have presented themselves to the A&E department for medical and other help, and those referred to the A&E department by general practitioners (GPs) and other health care professionals
Summary
Urgent psychiatric assessmentin an inner-city A&E department Data on day time referrals to a liaison psychiatry team from an inner London accident and emergency department (A&E) were analysed over a two-year period. Characteristics of patients in this inner-city population suggest a continuing need for a high quality liaison service to the A&E department.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
