Paediatric Liaison Work by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Background: Although psychiatric morbidity is common amongst paediatric patients, little is known about the availability of CAMH paediatric liaison services. Method: We surveyed all Trusts with specialist CAMH services and paediatric units in Greater London, enquiring about the nature of liaison that CAMHS provide. Results: We found that although liaison paediatric work was common, dedicated paediatric liaison services were provided by only a minority of specialist multidisciplinary CAMHS. Their work involved most aspects of child psychopathology, and included emergencies and children with joint physical and psychiatric problems. About 2/3 of paediatricians were satisfied with CAMHS liaison services, but virtually all desired to see them developed further. There were few indications of co-ordination between specialist multidisciplinary CAMHS and other paediatric psychosocial support services.