Collaboration between general practitioners and a child and adolescent mental health service.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this project was to develop a collaborative working relationship between general practitioners and a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). METHODS: The project focused on changing the policies and culture within CAMHS to be more GP aware and inclusive. The project also provided GPs with an accredited training package on common mental health problems. The impact of the project was determined through pre and post project surveys and interviews with GPs and mental health workers (case managers) respectively. RESULTS: There was a two-fold increase in communication between the two sectors and a 120% increase in shared care arrangements. There was a 144% improvement in GPs' perceptions of the helpfulness of public CAMHS. DISCUSSION: Implications for future collaboration are discussed. The results of this pilot study are encouraging and warrant replication and validation using standardised instruments. CONCLUSION: To create, enhance and extend the working relationships between GPs and public CAMHS requires strategies for change in both sectors.