Preventing unnecessary referrals into specialist mental health services: an interrupted time-series evaluation of a new primary care-linked mental health service

What is it about?

Many people who seek help from their family doctor with a problem relating to their mental health are often referred to specialist mental health teams even though they would be unlikely to be seen as eligible to receive care from these services. This can delay access to help and support better matched to what they need. We used NHS data to test whether the introduction of a new service offering more appropriate support reduced unnecessary referrals. We found evidence to support this: total monthly referrals to specialist services by GPs fell and people who were still being referred were more likely to end up being accepted into for treatment in specialist services.

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