We encourage psychiatrists to get in touch with us if they have any queries about suitability of their patients, or the referral process. Our telephone number is on the contacts page, and email addresses for the staff are also available. We also have a specific email address for enquiries.
If you do contact us, it is extremely helpful for us to have some details of the patient you are calling about. We acknowledge that some people may be wary of giving details when making a 'casual' enquiry but at least having a name allows us to track individuals through the referral and assesment process. For example, it is useful to know if it takes 3-6 months after an initial enquiry before we receive a referral. Long delays might reflect funding applications which occur in Primary Care Trusts out with Scotland.
Referral Guidelines (PDF; 192Kb)
In most cases, where the patient is detained under the Mental Health Act, we will arrange to visit the patient in their locality.
Should neurosurgical treatment be offerred, and where the patient remains subject to compulsory powers, the host Primary Care Trust will need to contact the Department of Health (who will liasise with the Scottish Government) to ensure that the same (or equivalent) compulsory powers remain in place once the patient crosses the border. Information, and the relevant forms, can be obtained from the Department of Health's webpage on Cross-border transfers of patients under the Mental Health Act.
When the patient is being transferred back to England/ Wales, we will liaise with the Health Division of the Scottish Government to ensure that the transfer takes place with continuity of the compulsory powers.
It should be noted, however, that the majority of patients undergoing neurosurgery in Scotland and England are not subject to compulsory powers under the Mental Health Act(s).