Mental Health Hospital Liaison Worker

Set up effective communication and referral pathways with hospital-based specialist teams. Act as a point of contact for acute referrals.

Participate with acute services to create/maintain a process for targeting repeat attendees, implementing an investigation system that enables wider services to critically evaluate the circumstances around an individuals hospital admission.

Provide support to acute hospital services to avoid unnecessary admission to hospital of people who can be supported and treated at community addiction services.

Develop specific links with identified specialist acute services and provide in reach to hospital wards including Gastroenterology/Hepatology; specialist clinics, observation ward; A&E.

Provide advanced assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care to a small, complex, specialist caseload of patients who misuse alcohol and/or drugs, while they remain in a hospital setting or as part of the discharge to community plan.

Work with community teams to ensure assertive and effective follow up of both repeat presentations and discharges from the hospital.

Provide support and advice to ward staff of those identified as misusing alcohol and/or drugs to prevent further complications from their conditions both in the short term and the long term.

Ensure Impact of service targets are met.

In conjunction with hospital medical staff, undertake specific research/audit related to the advancement of practice in the care of people who misuse alcohol and/or drugs.

Provide specialist substance misuse training to acute, specialist colleagues.