Monitoring referrals to mental health services.

The referral of patients with dementia from primary care professionals to specialist mental health services can fluctuate markedly. This article examines referrals to a mental health service for older people and the role of an education facilitator in primary care. Evaluation and analysis of the data collected from a single point of referral highlight possible delays in referrals by primary care professionals, failure to recognise mental health needs in older people or a tendency to refer initially to medical services instead of specialist mental health services. The education facilitator provides information about specialist services, identifies delays in referral and improves diagnostic accuracy.