Older Peoples Mental Health Psychiatric Liaison Nurse

Job summary

General Hospital services exist to meet the physical health needs of the population. However, significant numbers of older people admitted or referred to the general hospital will also have cognitive impairment and/or mental health problems in addition to their physical conditions. Such cognitive impairment and mental health problems in older people can influence care in a number of ways, including:

• Increased length of stay
• Increased risk of accidents, infection and confusion
• Repeated admissions

In addition, under recognition of the causes of common mental health and cognitive problems in older people and the failure to adequately treat and care for problems such as confusion in older patients can contribute to:

. Dissatisfaction with care

. Patient and Carer complaints

The purpose of the Older Persons Psychiatric Liaison service based within the general hospital, integrated with physical health care is to:

. Improve patient safety

. Increase the quality of care

. Improve patient flow and the appropriate utilisation of resources

. Improve staff safety

The Dementia and Older People's Mental Health Liaison provide mental health assessments and care planning services to patients over the age of 65, and for all patients who present with significant cognitive impairment problems.

Main duties of the job

General Hospital services exist to meet the physical health needs of the population. However, significant numbers of older people admitted or referred to the general hospital will also have cognitive impairment and/or mental health problems in addition to their physical conditions. Such cognitive impairment and mental health problems in older people can influence care in a number of ways, including:

• Increased length of stay
• Increased risk of accidents, infection and confusion
• Repeated admissions

In addition, under recognition of the causes of common mental health and cognitive problems in older people and the failure to adequately treat and care for problems such as confusion in older patients can contribute to:

• Dissatisfaction with care
• Patient and Carer complaints
• The purpose of the Older Persons Psychiatric Liaison service based within the general hospital, integrated with physical health care is to:
• Improve patient safety
• Increase the quality of care
• Improve patient flow and the appropriate utilisation of resources
• Improve staff safety

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Just over 532,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increases the numbers of people who use our services.