• The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) publishes Investigation into the provision of mental health care to patients presenting at the emergency department.
• It found that the provision of liaison mental health services was variable across England but that these services had a positive influence on managing the care of patients in the emergency department.
• HSIB argues for a sustainable funding model to support the provision of these services.

The deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“We welcome this review by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) which points to the positive role that 24/7 mental health liaison services within A&E departments can play in supporting the care needs of emergency patients.

“As the report signals access to these services is not available across all emergency departments and local commissioners are not compelled to fund these services. However, the findings show that these services can help reduce emergency admissions and improve access to services earlier.

The findings show that these services can help reduce emergency admissions and improve access to services earlier.

Saffron Cordery    

“Better access to mental health care will be a focus of the long-term plan for the NHS. To achieve this, we need a sustainable funding model for these services which ensures that the money reaches the frontline. It is also vital that we have the plans in place to recruit, train and retain the mental health workforce that we need.”