This specification has been designed to assist commissioners in the delivery of a service to support general and community hospitals to deliver better care to people with dementia.
The aim of the mental health liaison service is to advise on the diagnosis of people with suspected organic and functional mental health problems and to provide expert advice and support on the delivery of good clinical care, care planning and discharge planning, as required.
An effective service will develop the competencies of existing staff to deliver good quality mental health care and care of people with dementia and shall assist in putting in place procedures, protocols, governance and audit arrangements to support the delivery of good mental health care and the care of people with dementia. In so doing, the service will support the efficient use of existing resources to improve standards of care.