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Liaison psychiatry in detection and management of mental illness

Royal Dundee Liff Hospital, Liff by Dundee, DD2 5NF

David Brown, Consultant Psychiatrist

Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow G12 0YN

Elizabeth Irvine, Audit Facilitator

Royal Dundee Liff Hospital, Liff by Dundee DD2 5NF

^* Correspondence: Margaret Semple, Consultant Psychiatrist, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride G75 8RG

Of 299 referrals to the Dundee general psychiatry liaison service over a six month period, deliberate self-harm (DSH) was the reason in 83%. An overdose was used in 94%, and alcohol misuse occurred in 56% of DSH episodes. Fifty-two per cent of referrals were followed up by the general psychiatry service; 31% of these were admitted directly to a psychiatric ward, 10% on a compulsory basis. At follow-up, 23% remained in contact with the Dundee psychiatric service. Twenty-three per cent of all patients referred to the Area Alcohol Service (AAS) were in contact with it six months later. Clearly, liaison psychiatry has a role in detection and management of significant mental disorder.