INPATIENT LIAISON PSYCHIATRY - THE EXPERIENCE OF 2 IRISH GENERAL HOSPITALS WITHOUT PSYCHIATRIC UNITS

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the provision of psych iatric care to inpatients in two Irish general hospitals without psych iatric units and to comment on (a) how this service model compares wit h previous Irish studies, (b) whether it meets the goals of liaison ps ychiatry, and (c) the implications for future service planning. Method : Demographic and clinical details relating to all the psychiatric con sultations to inpatients (i.e. there was no emergency service to the c asualty department) in two general hospitals were collected over a six month period. Results: Although the service was provided on a non-eme rgency basis the referral rate [1.6% of total admissions], patient cha racteristics, reasons for referral, diagnoses, and suggested managemen t strategies were very similar to previous Irish studies. Assessment o f deliberate self-harm cases was the most common reason for referral [ 37.9% of 145 referrals]. Notably, there was a high level of diagnostic accuracy from non-psychiatric colleagues in this liaison model. Concl usions: This study, of a service model characterised by an emphasis on liaison, points to efforts on the part of the psychiatrist to improve communication with medical and surgical colleagues as being of primar y importance in the development of general hospital psychiatry service s.