Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) liaison

Paediatric liaison service
 

Who do we see?

Royal Free CAMHS paediatric liaison service focuses on the mind/body interface and provides psychological assessment and support to young people and their families experiencing mental health difficulties in the context of the child’s physical health condition. This includes acute, chronic, or life-limiting physical conditions.  

What do we do?

Interventions might target the psychological barriers to physical care, and psychological management of physical symptoms such as pain. Psychological assessments are also offered for young people considering plastic surgery via tribunal pathways, to discuss preparation and expectations of surgery, and to assess for psychological barriers. 

Referrals

We can accept referrals for patients under the care of paediatricians and paediatric services at RFH, primarily from Barnet and Camden boroughs. We also provide psychological support to all young people and their families staying on the Royal Free children’s ward for medical reasons, for mental health difficulties related to their inpatient stay. The team comprises psychiatry, clinical psychology, psychotherapy, family therapy and nursing.

To refer to the CAMHS paediatric liaison service, please email rf.camhsreferrals@nhs.net.

 

CAMHS liaison/emergency service

Who do we see?

Royal Free CAMHS liaison service helps young people in crisis, who have attended Royal Free A&E. 

What do we do?

Assessments usually take place in A&E and following assessment young people may either be discharged or admitted to our paediatric ward.

What happens next?

Following discharge from A&E or the paediatric ward, all young people will be offered a follow up appointment within seven days, either from our service, or their local CAMHS. Very rarely some young people will need to be transferred to in-patient adolescent psychiatric units for further treatment. The team comprises of psychiatry and mental health nursing. 

 

Need support now? ​What to do in an emergency

If you are concerned that you or your child may be at significant risk of harming themselves, we would advise you to bring your child to your nearest Accident and Emergency department as quickly and safely as possible. This may be by ambulance (ring 999), or if you think they will be less distressed, provided they will be safe, by alternative modes of transport.  

Young people in crisis should ideally come to hospital with an adult, especially if they are having difficulty keeping themselves safe. 

Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden, Islington or North Central London 

If you live in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden, Islington or North Central London, you can call this 24-hour Crisis Telephone Service: 0800 151 0023. 

 

Non-emergencies

Worried about yourself or someone you know and not sure what to do?

Talk to your GP

Your GP may be the first person you talk to about how you are feeling. Your GP may refer you to CAMHS if they feel this will help you. If you don’t have a GP, you can find one near you on NHS Choices.

Talk to Childline

Call: 0800 1111

Contact Childline anytime. Calls are free and confidential. Calls are not recorded and your number won't show up on any phone bills. You can also visit their website: www.childline.org.uk

General health enquiries

For general health enquiries dial 111 – this has replaced NHS Direct as the single number to call for urgent non-emergency advice. You can still contact your GP or local pharmacist for care advice. The NHS 111 service does not replace the emergency 999 service.

 

Other helplines and resources

For telephone advice you can contact these organisations:

  • NSPCC 0808 800 5000 (24 hours - for adults concerned about a child/young person)
  • Samaritans 116 123 (24 hours)
  • Young Minds parent helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4pm)
  • Papyrus 0800 068 41 41 (Available 9.00am – midnight every day)
  • The Mix 0808 808 4994 (Available 11am – 11pm every day)
  • Beat Youthline 0808 801 0711 (under 18s) or Beat Studentline 0808 801 0811 (Available Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm, weekends and Bank Holidays 4pm – 8pm)

For support via instant messaging or email:

  • Shout, text "SHOUT" to 85258 (Available 24 hours a day)
  • Kooth, (Online support for young people)
  • Papyrus via text, 07860 039967 (Available 9am – midnight every day)
  • The Mix via email, (Responds typically within 24 hours)
  • Beat one-to-one web chat, 

Websites:

Good Thinking