Embedding mental health within paediatrics: A comprehensive consultation consultation-liaison psychiatry service at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

ObjectiveTo present a detailed description of the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry service at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, illustrating its integration of proactive, clinical mental health care, workforce development, and systems collaboration.MethodsA narrative description was developed, drawing on clinical practice, service documents, and the experience of the multidisciplinary team.ResultsThe CHW CL service provides integrated inpatient, outpatient, and rehabilitation care for children and adolescents with chronic medical illness and functional neurological disorder. Key features include (i) a proactive acute psychiatric pathway for inpatients with acute mental health concerns; (ii) the Mind-body Program, an inpatient rehabilitation intervention for children disabled by functional neurological disorder symptoms; (iii) integration of consultation-liaison clinicians within paediatric subspecialties; and (iv) system level contributions through workforce training, supervision, and policy development. The service also extends its reach through statewide consultation and supervision. It has produced resources and training initiatives to build capacity beyond the tertiary setting.ConclusionThe Children's Hospital at Westmead Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service demonstrates how mental health care can be embedded within tertiary paediatrics through a model that combines clinical care with prevention, workforce development, and systems integration. This model may inform the design and refinement of consultation-liaison services in other paediatric hospitals nationally and internationally.