We recently launched a new service to help providers in Washington State who want advice regarding adult patients with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. Funded by the Washington State Legislature, the UW Psychiatry Consultation Line (PCL) connects community providers to psychiatrists at the University of Washington. Please help us spread the word!
Providers call 877-WA-PSYCH (877-927-7924) and after a short intake with a UW health navigator, are connected to a UW psychiatrist. At the conclusion of the conversation, the UW psychiatrist sends a brief written documentation of the recommendations to the caller via email.
Providers who can call the line include prescribing health care providers in Washington State from primary care clinics, community hospitals and county and municipal correctional facilities. The consultation line is open 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday (closed on federal and UW holidays) during the first year and is ramping up to be 24/7 beginning July 1, 2020. If calling outside of business hours, providers can leave a message which will be returned within one working day.
The PCL complements two existing mental health consultation lines: the Partnership Access Line (PAL) is for providers who are caring for children or adolescents experiencing a mental health or substance use condition, and PAL for Moms is for providers caring for pregnant or new moms experiencing a mental health or substance use condition. Together, these three provider-to-provider consultation lines help address the severe shortage of mental health professionals in Washington state by leveraging mental health experts at the UW to provide mental health consultation when and where providers need it.
The PCL effort is directed by Ryan Kimmel, MD, and managed by Mollie Forrester, MSW, LICSW, and Cara Towle, RN, MSN, MA. We ask that everyone use their connections and networks to let our community know about this important new service. Please contact Becky Sladek (rsladek@uw.edu) if you have marketing or dissemination ideas and to get marketing materials to distribute at upcoming meetings or conferences. People can email PCLWA@uw.edu with any questions about the program. Thank you!
