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Liaison psychiatry

Liaison psychiatrists work at the interface between physical and psychological health, providing psychiatric care to medical patients.

Liaison psychiatry is a young and emerging sub-specialty of general psychiatry.

Life as a liaison psychiatrist

Your role will be to diagnose and manage patients with a wide range of mental health problems. 

You’ll work with physically ill people and the healthcare professionals who care for them. This means you’ll manage patients with multiple, long-term chronic health conditions and liaise with clinical staff in other specialties.

Most of your patients will be of working age (18 to 65 years old) and attending general hospital, emergency departments and outpatients. Although, increasingly, patients are seen in the community and through primary care [1] services.

On hospital wards, you’ll provide an assessment and treatment of a patient or advise other healthcare staff how to manage a patient. Often a patient will be confused or experiencing dementia and you’ll need perseverance and excellent communication skills. 

In emergency departments, you’ll work closely with emergency medical staff and other clinicians to assess and treat people for a wide range of conditions including alcohol- and drug-related issues, acute psychosis and self-harm. Patients may be taking numerous medicines and you’ll need to collaborate with medical colleagues to determine treatment.

A significant part of your role will be to provide informal and formal teaching and training to hospital colleagues.

Common mental health disorders you’ll treat include:

  • acute psychosis
  • alcohol and drug addictions
  • anxiety
  • delirium
  • dementia
  • depression
  • eating disorders
  • neuropsychiatric disorders
  • perinatal mental health problems
  • self-harm

How much can I earn?

You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training [2] after medical school.  Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors [3] and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' [4] page. 

How about the benefits?

  • make a difference
  • flexible and part-time working
  • high income early in your career
  • work anywhere in the world
  • excellent pension scheme
  • good holiday entitlement
  • NHS discounts in shops and restaurants

Must-have skills

  • excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
  • emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
  • teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
  • problem-solving and diagnostic skills
  • outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
  • first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients

In addition, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate:

  • empathy and compassion and the ability to treat others with understanding and respect
  • excellent listening skills

Entry requirements

Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.

If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.

You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.

Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.

“I treat patients with delirium, dementia and severe depression. They often have multiple and severe physical and mental health problems”. 

Read Jude’s story [5].

How to become a liaison psychiatrist

After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme [6] where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.

After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training [7] to become a liaison psychiatrist, which will take a minimum of six years.

You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.

Where a career as a liaison psychiatrist can take you

You could: 
  • specialise or conduct research in areas such as cures for dementia
  • teach medical students or postgraduate students in training
  • get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
  • Find a vacancy

    • Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist

      Exeter, EX2 5AF

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Devon Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist job (opens in a new window) [8]
    • Locum Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist

      Kingston, KT2 7QB

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Locum Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist job (opens in a new window) [9]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist, Liaison - Epsom

      Dorking Road, Epsom, KT18 7EG

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist, Liaison - Epsom job (opens in a new window) [10]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist – Thanet Liaison

      Margate, CT9 4AN

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist – Thanet Liaison job (opens in a new window) [11]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist in Liaison Psychiatry

      Shrewsbury, SY3 8XQ

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist in Liaison Psychiatry job (opens in a new window) [12]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist Older People Liaison

      Hull, HU3 2RW

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist Older People Liaison job (opens in a new window) [13]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist - Acute Hospital Liaison, Swindon

      Swindon, SN3 6BW

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist - Acute Hospital Liaison, Swindon job (opens in a new window) [14]
    • LIAISON & ENHANCED TREATMENT PATHWAY CAMHS CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

      Kent, TN12 0ER

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for LIAISON & ENHANCED TREATMENT PATHWAY CAMHS CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST job (opens in a new window) [15]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist - General Adult Liaison (RRP Applicable)

      Brighton, BN2 5BE

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist - General Adult Liaison (RRP Applicable) job (opens in a new window) [16]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist - Wigan Mental Health Liaison Team

      Wigan, WN1 2NN

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist - Wigan Mental Health Liaison Team job (opens in a new window) [17]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist, Liaison - East Surrey (attracts £25K RRP)

      Redhill Annex, Canada Avenue, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 5RH

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist, Liaison - East Surrey (attracts £25K RRP) job (opens in a new window) [18]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist in Liaison Psychiatry (WAA and OA)

      Harrogate, HG27SX

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist in Liaison Psychiatry (WAA and OA) job (opens in a new window) [19]
    • Paediatric Liaison Lead

      Tewkesbury, GL20 5QN

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Liaison Lead job (opens in a new window) [20]
    • Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry

      Salisbury, SP2 8BJ

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry job (opens in a new window) [21]
    • Consultant in Psychiatry Liaison Team

      Wakefield, WF1 3SP

      Salary:
      £114894.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant in Psychiatry Liaison Team job (opens in a new window) [22]
    • Psychiatric Liaison Team Link Worker

      Sunderland, SR1 1QN

      Salary:
      £29970.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Sunderland Counselling Service
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Psychiatric Liaison Team Link Worker job (opens in a new window) [23]
    • Clinical Lead, Learning Disability Liaison

      Taunton, TA1 5DA
      Yeovil, BA21 4AT

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Lead, Learning Disability Liaison job (opens in a new window) [24]
    • GP Liaison and Stakeholder Officer

      Brentford, TW8 9DR

      Salary:
      £38000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Healthshare Group
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for GP Liaison and Stakeholder Officer job (opens in a new window) [25]
    • Patient Liaison and Complaints Officer

      Chesterfield, S40 1LE
      Chesterfield, S410NZ

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Inspire Health
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Patient Liaison and Complaints Officer job (opens in a new window) [26]
    • Clinical Fellow in Liaison Psychiatry

      Leicester, LE1 5WW

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Fellow in Liaison Psychiatry job (opens in a new window) [27]
    • Learning Disability Liaison Support Worker

      Taunton, TA1 5DA
      Yeovil, BA21 4AT

      Salary:
      £24625.00 to £25674.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Learning Disability Liaison Support Worker job (opens in a new window) [28]
    • Consultant Mental Health Liaison - Bolton

      Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0JR

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Mental Health Liaison - Bolton job (opens in a new window) [29]
    • Assistant Clinical Psychologist - Liaison and Diversion

      Derby, DE1 2TZ

      Salary:
      £28407.00 to £34581.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Assistant Clinical Psychologist - Liaison and Diversion job (opens in a new window) [30]
    • Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry - Liaison

      Cosham, PO6 3LY

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry - Liaison job (opens in a new window) [31]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist

      Warrington, WA2 8DB

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Elysium Healthcare
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist job (opens in a new window) [32]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist

      Pentre, CF417BT

      Salary:
      £110240.00 to £160951.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist job (opens in a new window) [33]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist

      Mansfield , NG21 0HR

      Salary:
      £165000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Cygnet Health Care
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist job (opens in a new window) [34]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist

      Baldock, SG7 6ND

      Salary:
      £160000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Nouvita Limited
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist job (opens in a new window) [35]
    • Consultant Psychiatrist

      Bromley, BR2 9JG

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Psychiatrist job (opens in a new window) [36]
  • These organisations have further information about being a liaison psychiatrist, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.

    British Medical Association [37]

    General Medical Council [38]

    Royal College of Psychiatrists [39]

    And hear from people working in liaison psychiatry:

    Short video about liaison psychiatry (CNWL NHS Foundation Trust) [40]

Other roles that may interest you

  • General practitioner [41]
  • Emergency medicine [42]
  • Old age psychiatry [43]
  • Knowledge and library services [44]

Source URL:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry/liaison-psychiatry

Links
[1] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Primary_care [2] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Foundation_training [3] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/career-opportunities-doctors/sas-doctors [4] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/pay-doctors [5] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychiatry/liaison-psychiatry/real-life-story-dr-jude-harrison [6] https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/ [7] https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/ [8] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9369-25-0357 [9] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9294-25-0271 [10] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9325-25-0265 [11] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9380-25-0425 [12] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9301-25-0684 [13] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9338-25-0275 [14] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9342-25-0508 [15] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9395-25-0662 [16] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9354-25-0509 [17] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9437-25-0232 [18] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9325-25-0288 [19] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9346-MHSOP-205M [20] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9327-25-0511 [21] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9342-25-0259 [22] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9378-W1296 [23] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B0330-25-0002 [24] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9184-25-0933 [25] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/M0045-25-0053 [26] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/A5302-25-0002 [27] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9313-25-0356 [28] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9184-25-0931 [29] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9437-25-0219 [30] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9383-25-0310 [31] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9348-25-1177 [32] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0132-25-0830 [33] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9110-25-0821 [34] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0233-25-1226 [35] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/L0012-25-0005 [36] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9277-25-0676 [37] http://www.bma.org.uk [38] http://www.gmc-uk.org/ [39] https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/become-a-psychiatrist/choose-psychiatry/what-is-psychiatry/types-of-psychiatrist/liaison-psychiatry [40] https://vimeo.com/98629035 [41] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/general-practitioner [42] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/emergency-medicine [43] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry/old-age-psychiatry [44] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/health-informatics/roles-health-informatics/knowledge-and-library-services