CAMHS Liaison Team
A rapid response service for GPs and others in primary care to ensure the best possible support for young people who have seriously self-harmed or are having suicidal thoughts.
This service is currently available in the south of Derbyshire - the areas formerly covered by Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Erewash Clinical Commissioning Group.
What service does the CAMHS Liaison Team provide?
The team are working to ensure that children and young people who are in urgent need of care due to self-harming or suicidal thoughts get the support they require.
GPs tells us that it can sometimes be difficult to confidently assess whether a young person in mental distress is in urgent need of emergency care. The CAMHS Liaison team will speak with the GP and the young person and provide specialist advice. Where the team recommends that a young person goes to the children’s emergency department at Royal Derby Hospital, the team will make every effort to meet with that young person. Where a visit to hospital is not required, but a more detailed mental health assessment is needed, the team will arrange that with the GP and the young person.
The end result should be that young people get the care and support that meets their needs – and there should be fewer young people being admitted unnecessarily to hospital. That reflects the key aims of the ‘joined up care in the south of Derbyshire’ programme – meeting the demand for quick access to complex care and for care close to home.
When is the team available?
The team will be available to support GPs seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 8am to 10pm whenever possible.
Currently due to workforce capacity and high demand the operating hours of the Liaison Team may need to be reduced.
Senior management are working to address this and will be update the website regularly.
Please note this is not a Crisis line – the number for the Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service is 0800 028 0077
Who works within the team?
The team is made up of experienced mental health nurses, social workers and occupational therapists from Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The team have access to a Consultant Psychiatrist Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm and, in acute emergencies and when clinically required, out of hours.
Contacting the CAMHS Liaison Team
I am a GP or primary care professional - how do I contact the team?
Please contact the team by emailing: dhcft.rise@nhs.net
Our telephone number: 0300 123 3124
The team is available from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday. Our weekend hours: 10am to 10pm.
Please note - the CAMHS Liaison Team are here to help you when young people who present themselves are experiencing acute mental distress – such as when they have seriously self-harmed or are experiencing suicidal feelings.
I am a GP or primary care professional with a non-urgent referral for CAMHS. Who do I contact?
For all non-urgent referrals, please contact the main CAMHS service for your area:
Learn more by visiting the main CAMHS page.
