Triage generally is a process of sifting and prioritising both in terms of urgency and relevance. In mental health triage can be undertaken face to face or via telephone: ‘red flags’ include suicidal ideas, intent or actions, violence and aggression set in the context of psychosis and specific items such as command hallucinations, delusional misidentification and grandiose delusions.

Older adults who present with purposeless wandering especially at night will often be ‘red flagged’ too.

In the early noughties (2000s) mental health services in Bridgend, South Wales in the United Kingdom and in Melbourne in Australia simultaneously developed triage scales suitable for processing large numbers of urgent and routine referrals into both adult and old age mental health services.

Mental health nursing academics Natisha Sands and Steve Elsom developed a variety of teaching and training materials in Australia (some of which are now available on website ukmentalhealthtriagescale.org) while Dr Robert Colgate produced training materials suitable for NHS staff in the United Kingdom.

A substantial series of case scenarios suitable for rating using the triage scale have already been developed – one set of twenty is available as an iBook (search author Robert Colgate). the scenarios cover a range from urgent to routine allocations suitable for a classroom setting.

In addition to written material there is an obvious need for audio training resources – especially telephone calls. I want to collaborate with members of the Q community to extend the range of training materials to include practical advice for front line mental health staff. We already have an list of ‘frequently asked questions’ (FAQs) including situations where the triage decision is challenged or when the pressure of work is overwhelming …

There is already considerable local interest in developing case scenarios specific to perinatal psychiatry and for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).

I want to produce a stand alone training resource, ideally audiovisual, to address the list of FAQs in a supportive and non confrontational style. All genuine offers of assistance gratefully received!

Line drawing by Andy Frazer (Dragons of Wales).