One in four people who attend hospital for physical health needs will have a mental health problem. the figures for patients over the age of 65 are significantly higher with 60% requiring mental health care during their hospital stay. (No Health without Mental Health, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges 2009).

Psychiatric co-morbidity affecting older people admitted to general hospitals is an independent predictor of poor outcome, including, increased mortality, length of stay, loss of independent function and discharge to care homes (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2005).

To evaluate the quality of delivery of inpatient liaison psychiatry service to Mid Essex Hospitals.

To examine the referral pattern and reasons for referral.

To assess the timeliness of response and the effect of the consultation on the duration of stay.

To introduce measures to ensure better practice in the future.

All referrals to Old Age liaison psychiatry consultation service from August 2010 to February 2011 were identified from the computer database.

50 patients were randomly selected and their medical and psychiatric notes were analysed.

Information ‘s including Patient demographics, referring team, medical reason for admission, duration of stay, referral reason, clinical diagnosis, medical comorbidities, Psychiatric comorbidities and management by the liaison psychiatry team were collected using an audit tool.

The results have been collected and is currently being statistically analysed. They would available in the next few weeks.