THE Delirium Liason Pathway in South Tyneside has been shortlisted for 'Mental Health Innovation of the Year' at the Health Service Journal Awards.

The 'reach out' Delirium service in North Cumbria has also been shortlisted in this year's awards. Both services are run by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). 

Launched in January 2021, the Delirium Liason Pathway is part of theSouth Tyneside Psychiatric Liaison Team. The service is pioneering a way of working outward-facing service which aims to raise awareness of delirium and combat its widespread impact in both hospital and community settings. 

The team consists of medics, nurses, and a specialist occupational therapist. Patients suffering from delirium receive follow-up care at home, which reduces the likelihood of the delirium reoccurring and the person needing to go back into hospital.

The team helped develop a care plan for each patient, and make onward referrals for more specialist support if needed. The team also provide resources, contact information and support to carers looking after an individual with delirium.

Emma Hodgson, Community Clinical Manager at CNTW, said: “The successful development of this new pathway would not have been possible without the culture of innovation that exists within CNTW, nor without the involvement of carers of people with delirium, who have engaged with us to shape the pathway.

“We hope that through being shortlisted in the nationally-recognised HSJ Awards, we can help change how delirium is viewed, and continue to share this way of working with other NHS trusts across the UK to help other patients, carers and staff elsewhere.”