SJH Emergency Medicine
ED patients should be referred to ACAST via the usual page number.
Psychiatry referrals from the ED
Warning
What's new / Latest updates
Information updated from psychiatry team to RA (CD) on Feb 2023
MH referral flowchart attached October 2023 - supplied by MH team.
Scope
Adult referrals to psychiatry
Audience
For all care providers
As of 2023 adult patients waiting psychiatric assessment do not need to be "medically fit" to receive this assessment.
The method of organising this depends on whether they are either an ED patient, or a medical patient (i.e. waiting a medical bed): there are 2 different teams that deal with these separate patient groups.
For a quick guide on the best way of organising referrals, please see the attached flowchart.
Patients that are awaiting a medical bed and need a psychiatry assessment should be referred to psych liaison (i.e. not the ACAST team) during day time hours. They can be seen during an observation period or whilst they are on NAC. They do not need to be 'medically fit' before referral so long as they are sober and able to be assessed.
To do so:
- Fill in the psychiatry liaison referral form - copies can also be found in one of the drawers in the amber zone working area.
- Email the referral to liaisonpsychiatrysjh@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk (also found on the form)
- Page 3017 to refer (however the form must also be completed)
This process should ideally be done by the medical team, but at times patients might not have been seen yet and the sooner this referral is in the quicker they will get assessed.
See the flowchart for how to refer to the CAMHS team.
If doctors see young people when CAMHS is not available please document on TRAK under CAMHS Emer assessment and if they would like follow up with more enhanced safety planning please email the CAMHSonCallsReferrals@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk