Paediatric Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Services (PCLPS) -what are they actually doing?

Ir Med J. 2017 Dec 18;110(10):652.

Abstract

Introduction Paediatric Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Services (PCLPS) are specialised services treating mental health difficulties co-morbid with medical problems. Methods Standardised clinical data was retrieved from all case notes (N=108) during the study timeframe (Jan-June 2016). Results The majority of children were female 59 (55%) with a mean age of 13. Presentation was typically via the Emergency Department (ED) (85, 79%), and of those, the majority (53, 62%) were 'out of hours' and for Deliberate Self-harm (44, 52%) Almost half of all cases seen (50, 46%) were previously known, and discharged back (84, 78%), to CAMHS. Discussion The majority of work conducted by the PCLPS involved children with acute or deteriorating psychiatry disorders, previously known to CAMHS, with a much smaller focus on typical liaison presentations. Adequate resourcing of hospital based PCLPS and 'out of hours' CAMHS are necessary to allow PCLPS provide a specialist service to children with combined medical and MH problems. Given the development of the National Children's Hospital, addressing these resourcing deficits is of vital importance.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • After-Hours Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Child
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Emergency Services, Psychiatric / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Pediatric
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*