Meet the Mental Health Liaison Team
Inside the A&E Liaison Mental Health Team: Supporting People in Crisis
Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a team that supports people through some of the toughest moments of their lives? The Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) at North Manchester General Hospital is a vital service that does just that—offering compassionate, expert care to individuals experiencing mental health crises in A&E and across the hospital.
What does the Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) do?
The MHLT is an all-age service —meaning we assess people of all ages, from children to older adults. Our core role is to carry out holistic mental health assessments for individuals presenting in A&E. We then work together with the person to determine the most appropriate next steps, whether that’s further treatment, support in the community, or another pathway entirely.
We also support patients with mental health needs who are staying on the medical wards of the hospital. In many cases, we start treatment while they are still admitted, helping to support their mental health recovery and contribute towards a safe and timely discharge.
For children and young people, our role is focused on assessment and signposting —ensuring they are directed to the right services quickly. For adults and older adults , we offer a full range of support: assessment, signposting, and treatment .
What’s It Like Working in the MHLT?
One of the most rewarding parts of working in liaison psychiatry is the variety and pace . Because we work with people of all ages and across different hospital departments, no two days are the same. Staff quickly gain experience and confidence due to the autonomous nature of the role—making key decisions about patient care, while being fully supported by a strong, well-structured team.
The Culture: What’s the Team Really Like?
We’re proud to say that our team culture is one of our biggest strengths. Many of our staff describe the MHLT as open, supportive, and caring.
“Liaison team is the best team I have ever worked in, there is a family culture in the team where I feel able to be open about my feelings.”
“I have really enjoyed the variability of the patient group, seeing both children and young people, then older adults, and learned so much, the team support and training is great”
“Everybody is really nice and helpful, when I started I was a little bit overwhelmed, however I got lots of support from my peers and the seniors on the team which helped my confidence”
What Are Some of the Challenges?
Working in this setting does come with challenges. Mental health rarely exists in isolation, and many patients we see have overlapping physical, emotional, and social issues . Our assessments are always holistic , looking at the person as a whole, not just the symptoms.
We regularly work across different services, including acute medical teams, safeguarding, social care, and community mental health —so coordination and communication are key.
The work can also be emotionally demanding. We frequently support people in distress, including those experiencing self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or trauma . And with our older adult population , we often face the complex task of distinguishing between delirium, dementia, and psychiatric conditions .
Interested in Working With Us?
If you're considering a career in liaison mental health, we’d love to hear from you. One of the best ways to understand the role is to spend a day with the team . We offer shadowing opportunities so you can get a real feel for the work we do and meet the people behind the scenes.
We also recommend familiarising yourself with the Core 24 model , which outlines the national framework for urgent mental health care.
