Research

2006-2008 Liaison Mental Health Services for Older People in General Hospitals:
An NHS SDO funded research project to document and assess the effectiveness of liasion mental health services for older people in general hospitals. Mixed-methods analysis provides for a comprehensive study of multiple factors including; Mental Health and Acute Trust frameworks; policy and resources; staff knowledge and attitudes; referral pathways and ward-level protocols.

Phase 1: The aim of the literature review was to provide descriptions of the different models of mental health liaison for older people including; staffing and skill mix, service activity, effectiveness and applicability to the NHS, and to establish the strength of evidence for effectiveness. This phase was completed in December 2006.

Phase 2: A UK-wide mapping of liaison services was conducted in 2006. This phase produced a typology of different service types and their prevalence and includes; staffing and skill-mix, activity, workload, referral pathways and speed of response.

Phase 3: Currently collecting and analysing data across the 12 hospital sites identified in phase two. Successful completion of this phase will produce the detailed knowledge that will inform service development and also place the research team in a position to be able to design a trial-based formal evaluation of liaison mental health services for older people. This evaluation is due to be completed in May 2008.

If you would like to know more about any aspects of the research we are currently involved in please contact Dr John Holmes