Mental Health Liaison Service
The Mental Health Liaison Service (MHLS) work in acute care hospitals in Lincolnshire. The MHLS provide patients with physical healthcare issues access to psychiatric services. The MHLS staff are based at all three of United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust sites. These being:
The MHLS enables specialist psychiatry assessment to take place. The MHLS provides continuing care to patients with an existing mental health need. The MHLS strives to maximise the mental wellbeing of patients.
The MHLS signposts people to other mental health services and support networks. They provide direct links to all other LPFT services. The service plays a key role in discharge planning for patients. MHLS provides support for a smooth transition to community services.
The MHLS teams comprise of:
- Psychiatrists,
- Mental Health Nurses,
- Occupational Therapists
- Administrative staff.
Aims of the Mental Health Liaison Service
The MHLS work closely with all acute hospital departments from Accident and Emergency Department to inpatient wards. The primary aims and objectives of the MHLS is to promote a range of positive outcomes by providing:
- Rapid access to specialist mental health assessment to avoid hospital admission where possible
- Access to specialist mental health assessment and treatment in the acute physical health care settings and identification of mental health needs
- Pro-active case finding to assist in the identification and management of mental health and dementia related needs
- Effective mental health support in Emergency Departments, Medical Emergency Admissions Unit (MEAU) and Acute Care Hospital Inpatient Wards
- To improve the quality of mental health care for in these environments and reduce length of stay
- Liaision between community services to support peoples mental health
- A holistic approach to facilitate the continuing care of people into a safe community setting.
- Train and supervise acute hospital staff in the recognition and management of common mental health presentations. These include depression and anxiety, self-harm, substance misuse, personality and eating disorders, psychosis, delirium and dementia.
- Support hospital staff with advice and guidance in respect of the safe operation of the mental health act and complex capacity assessments.
- Rapid access to specialist mental health assessment to avoid hospital admission where possible.
- To identify and manage mental health and dementia-related needs.
- Effective mental health support in emergency departments, Medical Emergency Admissions Unit (MEAU) and acute care hospital inpatient wards.
- To improve the quality of care for patients with mental health needs and reduce the length of stay.
- Liaise with a range of community services.
- To promote a holistic approach to facilitate the care of people into a safe community setting.
- Train and supervise acute hospital staff in the recognition and understanding of mental health presentations.
- Direct referral pathway to memory and assessment services.
- Support and facilitate referral/signposting to other specialist mental health services.
- Mental Health Liaison Service is aligned to LPFT Quality Priority 2017/19 ‘Improving services for people with mental health who present to A&E’.
Useful Information:
Hours of Operation & Contact Number
Available 7-days per week:
Lincoln County Hospital:
- 08:00-22:00 hrs
- Peter Hodgkinson Centre Tel: 01522 707176
Boston Pilgrim Hospital:
- 08:00-22:00 hrs
- Department of Psychiatry Tel: 01205 445153
Grantham and District Hospital:
- 09:00-17:00 hrs
- Manthorpe Centre Tel: 01476 591676:
