Authors (including presenting author) :
Lai SM(1),Lok EYC(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Castle Peak Hospital
Introduction :
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric (CAP) Consultation Liaison (CL) Service of the New Territories West Cluster was provided in Tuen Mun Hospital by psychiatrists of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Castle Peak Hospital. Psychiatrists provide 3 regular CL sessions per week and 3 patients could be assessed per session. The service demand has been drastically increased by 60.5% from 552 in 2020 to 886 in 2023. Psychiatrists assessed some known outpatient cases referring for CL service in outpatient clinics and provided extra CL sessions to manage the demand despite the manpower constraints. Nurse Consultant (NC) (Psychiatric) has been in post since March 2024. In order to provide CL service promptly, the CAP CL training program for the nurses was commenced.
Objectives :
1. To shorten patients’ waiting time of CL service in Emergency Medicine Wards and general wards
2. To direct patients to appropriate psychiatric services promptly
Methodology :
Psychiatrist in-charge of CAP CL service discussed with the NC on the training needs of nurses in CL service and then collaborated to design the training program, which including shadowing sessions with psychiatrists and on-site supervision by Associate Consultants. After the completion of the training, the NC would assess the patients independently and discuss the treatment plans with Associate Consultants over the phone.
Result & Outcome :
The NC received the CL training from 10 April 2024 to 28 June 2024. In July 2024, the NC started to provide 2 regular CL sessions per week, and she could assess 2 patients per session. She also provided ad hoc sessions if the demand exceeded the supply. She assessed 72 cases from July to December 2024, which accounted for 13.7 % of total CL requests during the period. From January to June 2024, 521 CL requests were received, and 267 cases were managed in CL setting with the average waiting time of 2.6 days. Meanwhile, from July to December 2024, 526 requests were received, and 301 cases were managed in CL setting with the average waiting time of 1.1 days. The new service has reduced the average waiting time by 57.7%. As the service demand continues to be high, CL training for Associate Nurse Consultant and Advanced Practice Nurse phase by phase is recommended.
