Table 1

Linkage strategies in primary mental health care

Category	Strategy	Description
Direct collaborative activities	Link working	Organisational tasks connecting 2+ services—may involve limited clinical intervention but not expert clinical advice or structured liaison
	Co-location	Face to face—location of mental health worker in primary care—must provide treatment in primary care
	Consultation liaison	Person 1 provides advice about care to person 2 without transfer of care—can be via a link worker
	Care management	Coordination of care—including assessment, review, follow-up and care management plan; linking with other services or defined care pathway
Agreed guidelines	Protocols	Agreed treatment algorithm—pharmacotherapy or psychological therapy
Agreed guidelines	Stepped care	Treatment escalation or de-escalation procedure to other providers
Communication systems	Enhanced communication	Formal process with feedback—meetings, shared medical record
	Enhanced referral	Expedited access—explicit referral criteria/ process.
	Electronic communication system	Tele—video conference connecting 2+ services
Service agreement	Service agreement	Memorandum of understanding—formal contract/ funding mechanism about how services work together