Minimum Data-set for all mental health referrals

1.Is the patient a parent, or has he or she ever been a parent? 2.If the answer to 1 is yes, has the patient ever been, and/or is the patient providing any care for any children, whether for his or her own children or for children of others?

3. Does the patient have a spouse or current partner who has children, and is the patient still in contact with the children of this or of any previous partner? 4. Are there any children living at the patients current or recent address? 5. If the answer to 4 is yes, then who is caring for these children?

6. If the patient either has current children, or there are children living at his/her address, have these children ever been placed in the care either of the local authority or of other relatives or friends?. If they have, with whom were they placed or what is the name of the current or recent social worker who was responsible for their care? 7. In the event that the patient was admitted after a domiciliary visit, or on a compulsory order, were there children present in the accommodation at the time of the patients admission to hospital and/or removal?

8. If the answer to 7 is yes, then who explained to the children what was happening, and what was their response? 9. Who is available for further discussion with the children, and/or to answer their questions? 10. Who is identified as now caring for the children while the patient is in hospital?

11. Have the children been asked if they wish to visit the patient in hospital? 12. If the answer to 11 is yes, are there facilities at the hospital for parent – child visits and who will arrange and/or supervise the visit?

13. Whom within the professional network has agreed to explain the nature of the parents illness to the children? The reason for this should be explained to, and discussed with, both the patient (if possible), the other parent of spouse, and/or current carers of the children. Have he/she/they agreed to be present and participate in such discussion with the children? The reason for this should be explained to, and discussed with, both the patient (if possible), the other parent of spouse, and/or current carers of the children. Have he/she/they agreed to be present and participate in such discussion with the children? 14. Do the children know of a professional person they can call if they are concerned or anxious about the situation, and do they have rapid contact details for that person ( such as mobile telephone number). ?