CAMHS liaison: supporting care in general paediatric settings

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Background:

• General pediatric settings are increasingly caring for children and young people with mental health problems.
• Nurses in these settings often lack specialized mental health qualifications and experience, posing a challenge to effective care.
• There is a significant gap in addressing the mental health needs of children with co-occurring physical illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify nurses' concerns and attitudes regarding the care of pediatric patients with mental health issues.
• To explore the perceived benefits of a liaison service between general pediatric wards and CAMHS.
• To inform the development of a project aimed at improving nursing liaison with CAMHS.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among nurses in a children's hospital.
• The survey assessed nurses' concerns and attitudes towards caring for pediatric patients with mental health conditions.
• Data was collected on the perceived benefits of different components of a liaison service.

Main Results:

• Almost all surveyed nurses (87%) identified on-call nursing support as the most beneficial aspect of a liaison service.
• Teaching (84%) and individual support with the young person/family (84%) were also highly valued.
• The findings highlighted a need for enhanced support structures for general pediatric nurses.

Conclusions:

• Effective liaison between general pediatric wards and CAMHS is vital for improving care for children with diagnosed mental health problems.
• A well-structured liaison service, particularly with strong on-call support and educational components, can address identified nursing needs.
• Further efforts are required to bridge the gap in mental health support for children with physical illnesses.