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ABSTRACT
Increasing numbers of children and young people with mental health problems are being cared for in general paediatric settings, presenting a challenge to nurses who do not have mental health nursing qualification and experience. A survey of nurses in a children's hospital identified their concerns and attitudes to caring for this client group. On-call nursing support was felt by almost all nurses (87 per cent, n=90) to be the most beneficial aspect of a liaison service, followed by teaching (84 per cent) and individual support with the young person/family (84 per cent). Based on the findings, a project was initiated to improve nursing liaison with CAMHS nurses providing support and advice to general children's nurses. Effective liaison between general paediatric wards and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) can improve care for children and young people with diagnosed mental health problems. However, there is still a gap in addressing the need of the significant numbers of children with physical illness who also have mental health needs.
KEY WORDS
CAMHS
Liaison roles
Children: services
Child and adolescent mental health is a sub-speciality of both mental health and paediatrics. The disparity between these two fields has sometimes delayed development of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Liaison between mental health and general services (both in adult and paediatric settings) can be challenging and is often unplanned and unmanaged (Benjamin et al 1994, Anders 1997, Black et al 1990).
The need for a robust model of liaison is recognised, but collaborative working between professionals is not always evident (Tipper and Moon 2001). A multi-disciplinary framework is thought to be the most effective working model for liaison; commitment from professionals in paediatric, psychiatric and psychological disciplines are essential to its success (Williams and Wright 2003, Lask 1994).
At Birmingham Children's Hospital the psychiatry and psychology departments already had a fully functional liaison service but a need was identified for improved nursing liaison. This article reports on a project to develop more effective liaison between CAMHS nurses and nurses working in general wards.
Service context
More children and young people are presenting to A&E departments with self-harm and being admitting with other conditions such as psychosomatic problems, eating disorders and psychosis. The number being accommodated...