The role of the old age psychiatry consultation liaison nurse.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and describe service changes when a psychiatric consultation liaison nursing service is introduced.

DESIGN

Prospective collection of basic service data before and after implementation of the service change.

SETTING

A newly established comprehensive old age psychiatry service.

PATIENTS

People on medical and surgical wards aged over 65 years referred for psychiatric assessment.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Numbers of referrals made and patients seen, details of psychiatric diagnoses made and follow-up offered before and after the change in the service.

RESULTS

Within 6 months there was an increase in liaison referrals to the service. The proportion of people offered follow-up showed little change and delay before assessment decreased substantially with the PCLN service.

CONCLUSIONS

A psychiatric consultation liaison nursing (PCLN) service was successfully initiated. Numerous difficulties were encountered but this is a useful model for old age psychiatry services to consider researching and developing further.