Information about the Psychiatric Liaison Team who provide assessment of mental health, and treatment of any mental health problems, to people attending a general hospital in Newcastle.
The Psychiatric Liaison Team provides assessment of mental health, and treatment of any mental health problems, to people attending a general hospital. Although we are employed by the mental health trust and not the general hospital, we work very closely with the general hospital team.
We are mental health professionals: specialist medical doctors (called ‘psychiatrists’), registered mental health nurses, clinical psychologists, other specialist mental health professionals, and administrative staff.
We are a 24 hour service based at the Richardson Unit in the Leazes Wing of the RVI.
The hospitals we cover are:
- Royal Victoria Infirmary
- Freeman Hospital
We have been asked to see you by your general hospital team, who remain the team responsible for your overall care.
- Take part in your assessment, so that we can agree with you what needs you may have and how we might help them be met.
- Give permission to us to speak to others (for example, your family).
- Give permission for us to share information with others concerned with your care.
People who know you well, such as your family, can always speak to us; we will listen to them but will not normally share any information with them about you without your consent.
If you require an interpreter, please let your referrer know so that one can be arranged for you.
- You can be seen in a private area, if one is available.
- You can choose whether or not a relative, friend or advocate accompanies you.
- We will encourage you to be involved in decisions about any treatment offered.
- An appointment to see us again, in the near future.
- Information and a choice of possible interventions by agencies that will be able to support any plan agreed with you.
Newcastle Psychiatric Liaison Team
Richardson Unit
Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP
We use the stress bucket to explain how everyday stress can build up and up and feels too much sometimes. When we reach the limit of the bucket, stress overflows. We try and cope the best ways we know how. We know that some people have more to manage in life and their buckets can often feel very full.
Different stressors drop into the bucket like water and fills it up, for example:
- Difficult life experiences
- Housing problems
- Loss of support, people we love
- Money worries
- Physical health
- Poor sleep
- Stress at work or stress due to having no job
When the bucket gets too full it overflows.
We try to cope the best way we know how. Sometimes these strategies can work in the short term, but longer term may cause problems and be harmful.
Less helpful or harmful coping:
- Alcohol, drugs
- self-harm
- avoiding things or people
- putting others needs first
- shouting, aggression
These can lead to more stress going into the bucket over time. We can find ways to cope in more helpful ways:
- Speaking to friends and family
- Moving my body, walking
- Asking for help
- Reading
- Doing things I enjoy
The Stress Bucket by Brabban and Turkington (2002). For a copy of the stress bucket please telephone 0191 282 4842 or 0191 282 0045.
What stress has been coming into my bucket in the last few days?
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What’s already in my bucket that feels stressful?
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What are my less helpful or harmful ways of coping?
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What ways might help me cope better with my stress?
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The Stress Bucket by Brabban and Turkington (2002).
Thinking about what your stressors are and how they impact you can help you make plans to keep yourself safe in the future.
What are my triggers and warning signs that my stress/ distress is overflowing?
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Getting through right now.
What will help me in the next few minutes and hours?
What do I need?
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Making the situation safer.
Can I make the situation safer around me e.g., not having more medication around than I need.
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What lifts my mood?
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What calms me down?
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What distracts me?
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Who are the people that support me?
Family/friends
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Professionals
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Emergency Professional support
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More information is available at Stayingsafe.net
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- Your GP:
- Samaritans: 116 123(24 hours)
- Community mental health Team:
- Social worker:
- Other contacts:
If you need urgent mental health advice you can contact the Initial Response/Crisis Team at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You'll speak to a mental health professional who will listen and help you find the right support.
If you are Deaf or have communication difficulties, you can contact us in a crisis by:
- Texting 07860 064 775
- Using SignVideo
- Contacting 18001 111 using the Relay UK app
The crisis team does not provide an emergency service such as a 999 response.
Hub of Hope
If you or a loved one is struggling with any mental health concern, we urge you to start with the Hub of Hope, to find the most relevant and readily available support near you, when you need it. With more than 1,800 local, regional, grassroots and national services currently listed, and that number growing each day, the Hub of Hope is the UK’s go-to mental health support signposting tool.
Safe Haven: George Street Social
Telephone: 0300 131 2000 (2pm to 10pm, every day of the year)
Provides a safe place for anyone over 18 in all stages of recovery, as well as the general public to enjoy an alcohol-free social space.
Address: 45-51 George Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7JN.
Shout
Shout 85258 is a 24/7 UK text messaging service for times when people feel they need immediate support. Struggling to cope? Text SHOUT to 85258
Calm Harm App
The urge to self-harm is like a wave. Learn to ride the wave with the free Calm Harm app using these activities: Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, Random and Breathe.
Papyrus – prevention of young suicide
0800 0684 141 open 24/7 or text 0786 003 9967
Changing Lives
A nationwide charity helping people facing challenging times to make positive change.
The Silver Line Helpline
Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90
A free confidential telephone support for older people, provided by Age UK.
If U Care Share
Telephone: 0191 387 5661
Provide a range of services fundamental to our three main aims of prevention, intervention and supporting those bereaved by suicide.
Anxious Minds
You can drop-in anytime for a cup of coffee and a chat at our Recovery Centres and everyone who registers for Counselling gets an assessment appointment within a couple of weeks.
Recovery College Collective – ReCoCo Newcastle
Peer-led educational courses, workshops and recovery support.
SomeOne Cares
Telephone: 0191 257 8094
SomeOne Cares offers a free counselling service for survivors of abuse, specialising in childhood sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault.
Cruse Bereavement Support
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Grief is a natural process, but it we know it can be devastating. You are not alone. We are here to support you.
Crisis Skylight Newcastle
For people at risk of homelessness, telephone: 0191 220 0622 or enquiries.
Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS)
24 hour confidential helpline for anyone in Newcastle.
Telephone: 0191 214 6501
Email: nidas.
Gateshead Domestic Abuse Team – Gateshead Council
For advice and support, please contact our Domestic Abuse 24 hour helpline 0191 433 3333
PROPS
Telephone: 0191 226 3440
Family recovery service, improving the lives of families affected by alcohol and drug use.
Newcastle Treatment and Recovery (NTaR)
Referral by email: NTARreferrals
North Tyneside Recovery Partnership (NTRP)
Referral by telephone: 0191 640 0180
Gateshead Recovery Partnership
Contact them on 0191 594 7821 or grp.
Northumberland Recovery Partnership
Telephone: 01670 798 200
NHS Talking Therapies Newcastle
Telephone: 0191 282 6600 or refer online at www.
NHS Talking Therapies North Tyneside
Telephone: 0191 295 2775 or refer online at www.
NHS Talking Therapies Northumberland
Telephone: 0300 3030 700 or refer online at www.
NHS Talking Therapies Gateshead
Telephone: 0191 283 2541 or online at www.gatesheadtalkingtherapies.nhs.uk
We will usually only see you if you have given your explicit consent. Similarly, you are free to opt out of seeing us at any time. Anything you say is treated in strictest confidence and will only be shared with other members of the team and with other people involved in your health care, such as your GP.
Members of the team work within professional Codes of Conduct and follow NHS Policies that ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. The only exception to this would be if the Team believed that there was a significant risk you would seriously harm yourself or others, or information was obtained about possible harm to vulnerable people such as children.
If you have any concerns at all about confidentiality please speak to any member of the team.
There is a range of patient and carer information on the Trust’s website.
Resource library
This includes information on mental health and wellbeing, medicines, side-effects and how to manage them, and mental health act information leaflets in 28 languages.
Carer resources
A range of useful information and support resources for carers.
Self help guides
We have 23 self help guides written by NHS clinical psychologists with contributions from service users and healthcare staff. Titles cover Depression and Low Mood, Stress, Controlling Anger, Panic, Sleeping Problems, Anxiety and many more.
If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:
- talk to the people directly involved in your care
- ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk/contact/complaints/
- telephone the Complaints Department Tel: 0191 245 6672
- email complaints@cntw.nhs.uk
We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention.
You can provide feedback in the following ways:
- the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.
- complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
- other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.
We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.
PALS
Tel: 0800 032 0202
Email: pals
Post: FREEPOST PALS
South of Tyne
Tel: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: pals@
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB
9.00 am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.
Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.
This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288
Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: PIC/747/1025 October 2025 V16
Review date 2026
Website: www.