Development of a psychiatric liaison service.

thinking has aided our understanding of the processes, and contributed to our management of both organically and non-organically induced physical complaints. The interactive and circular nature of the relationship between psyche and soma have been illustrated by Minuchin et al (figure).2 Psychological sequels of both childhood illness and admission to hospital have also been documented.3 The value of a systemic approach to paediatrics.-that is, seeing the child in the context of his family and social surroundings-has been highlighted by Bingley et al.5 'Liaison child psychiatry' refers to the partnership of child psychiatry, paediatrics, and other specialities concerned with children to provide integrated medical and psychological care for children. The development of liaison services has been described by a number of authors,68 and different models of functioning have been proposed.9'2 Obstacles to liaison,3 and ways of overcoming them,'6 17 have also been discussed. Graham has outlined principles of referral appropriate to a child psychiatry consultation seryice, but has pointed out that these are less necessary when there is regular contact between specialists.18