Quality Approved Resource logoThis leaflet may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without the permission of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

This leaflet provides information about the Psychiatric Liaison Team. We carry out assessment of mental health, and treatment of any mental health problems, to people attending a general hospital.

This leaflet provides you with information about the Psychiatric Liaison Team (PLT). If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

The Psychiatric Liaison Team provides assessment of mental health, and treatment of any mental health problems, to people attending a general hospital. The general hospital team will ask us to review you if they have any concerns relating to your mental health. We can then provide an assessment and offer you support.

  • Specialist medical doctors (called ‘Psychiatrists’)
  • Registered mental health and learning disability nurses
  • Specialist Nurses in younger persons or addictions
  • Clinical support workers
  • Peer supporters
  • Administrative staff

  • There are usually two members of staff that will come to speak to you about your mental health. We will talk through what needs you may have and how we might help.
  • The team may ask to speak to your family/carers, educational support, regular care providers or social workers as part of your assessment to help support you on discharge.
  • We will always ask your permission to share information with others involved with your care.

If you require an interpreter, please let your referrer know so that one can be arranged for you.

  • When you are seen we will always try to do the utmost as possible to respect your privacy and dignity.
  • 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.

  • You will be offered a follow up appointment either with your regular care team if you have one, or the Universal Crisis Team. This will be discussed with you in more detail at your assessment.
  • We will complete a safety plan with you which is written in this leaflet.
  • Relevant information you gave to the psychiatric liaison staff will be given to the hospital team looking after you to help support you.
  • We will write to your GP/family doctor and other agencies involved in your care to update them; we will also ask if you would like a copy of this letter.

We are a 24 hour service based at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) and also provide support to other hospitals within Northumbria Healthcare.

Postal address:
Psychiatric Liaison Team
Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital
Northumbria Way
Cramlington
Northumberland
NE23 6NZ

Our telephone number is: 0191 607 2171

Use this space for your notes
 
 
 
 
 

  • Your GP/family doctor:
     
  • Community Mental Health Team:
     
  • Social Workers:
     
  • Other useful 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:

The crisis team does not provide an emergency service such as a 999 response.

For example, friends, family, teachers, colleagues, clubs and helplines.

Use this space for your notes
 
 
 
 
 

For example, listen to uplifting music, watching TV, going for a walk, reading, colouring in or mindfulness.

Use this space for your notes
 
 
 
 
 

Use this space for your notes
 
 
 
 
 

Northumberland

North Tyneside

Other useful services

  • Childline - 0800 11 11 24/7 support
  • Young Minds Crisis Messenger - text YM to 85258
  • Shout text messaging service - text SHOUT to 85258 if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help, text for free.
  • Someone Cares - 0191 257 8094 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm)
  • Samaritans - 116 123 (24hr)
  • CRUSE Bereavement - 0808 808 1677
  • Young Minds Parental Helpline - 0808 802 5544 (9.30am-4pm)

We will ask you for your agreement (consent) to any plan of treatment or intervention.

There are times when we can still share information without your agreement. We will tell you if we are going to share information about you, and what that information is.

At all other times we will keep information about you confidential.

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 on 0191 607 2171

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:

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.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
  • complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff 
  • other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback

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 one's 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.

North of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 032 0202
Email: pals@nhct.nhs.uk
Post: FREEPOST PALS

South of Tyne
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: pals@cntw.nhs.uk
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is always available 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 telephone the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/879/1225 December 2025 V5
Review date 2028

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk