We work alongside the teams that are treating your physical health within the hospital. A member of the ward team will contact us if they feel you need help or support with your mental health.

We aim to reduce any mental health distress as quickly as possible.

We will give you the chance to meet with a member of the team to talk about any difficulties or concerns you are having.

We can help provide support, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems during your stay in hospital.

We may carry out a test of memory and thinking. This is standard practice and nothing to worry about.

We will work with you to discuss the best treatment options. This may be:

  • ongoing talking therapy and support
  • medication
  • further advice

We may see you more than once to monitor your progress and to promote positive well-being.  

When you are being discharged from hospital, we will talk about if you need more contact:

  • from us (telephone or face to face)
  • with your local community mental health team
  • with other agencies for support with your mental health

We will give you with information and contact numbers for mental health support available 24/7 in the community.

We provide a range of interventions. These include:

  • suggestions for medications
  • comprehensive assessments
  • wellbeing interventions
  • Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
  • management of behaviours that challenge
  • support with discharge planning

We understand that being in hospital can be a difficult time. Our team is here to listen, support you, and help you get the care you need.

We aim to see you within 24 hours of receiving your referral, and sooner if your needs are urgent. If there is a delay, we will keep you and your family informed.

A mental health nurse or doctor will meet with you, usually on the ward or in a private space if you prefer. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you, understand your concerns, and discuss how we can help.

We may talk about:

  • how you have been feeling
  • your memory and thinking
  • your physical and mental health
  • your support network
  • what is important to you

There are no right or wrong answers. You can take a break at any time.

After the assessment, we will talk about our recommendations with you and agree a plan together.

This may include:

  • advice and support
  • recommendations for your hospital team
  • medication if appropriate
  • referral to other services

Our aim is to work with you to provide the support that best meets your needs.

We will come to you on your medical ward.

Wherever possible, we will speak with you somewhere private.

Our team includes:

  • mental health nurses
  • healthcare assistant
  • resident doctors
  • consultant psychiatrists

Call 0191 293 4049 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

If you are not in the hospital:

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call NHS 111 and select option 2 for 24-hour mental health crisis support.

You will speak with a mental health professional who will listen to your concerns, ask some questions, and help you get the right support. They can:

  • Offer advice and self-help guidance over the phone
  • Signpost you to appropriate local services
  • Refer you to other support services
  • Transfer you directly to the crisis team if you need urgent support

Your views are important to us. They help us shape and define our care for future patients.

If you would like to provide feedback about your experience with the MHSOP liaison team as a patient or carer, please complete this short survey.

We looked at how our service supported patients during 2025.

What went well

  • Most people referred to the team were able to access support when they needed it.
  • Patients were usually seen and supported quickly, with very few delays.
  • The team worked closely with wards across the hospital.
  • Many patients got better or stayed stable while receiving support from the team.

Who we support

  • The most common conditions we helped with were delirium, dementia and depression.

What we're working on to improve

  • Preparing for busier winter periods when more people need support.
  • Improving care for people with dementia and delirium.
  • Providing extra support for patients with more complex needs.

Overall

The review showed that we provide an effective and responsive service for older people in hospital.

We will continue to improve the service to meet the needs of patients and their families.

Read the full review.

Would you be interested in becoming a patient or carer representative for the MHSOP liaison team?

As a representative, you may have the opportunity to support:

  • Service development
  • Quality improvement initiatives
  • Staff training development and delivery
  • Recruitment and selection of staff

If so, please contact us on 0191 293 4049 or MHSOP@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk

Please note that this is a generic email address. Include in the email that this should be sent to the MHSOP liaison team.

Mental health services for older people (MHSOP)