ABSTRACT
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.
