Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Emergency Referral
The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Emergency (CAPE) unit provides short-term psychiatric services for children and youth aged 16 and under from BC and Yukon who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
The CAPE team provides care focused on stabilizing, initiating treatment. and connecting to community resources.
This service is for children and youth with acute or emergency needs only.
Referral overview
We admit patients who are having a psychiatric crisis or emergency via BC Children’s Hospital's Emergency Department. We accept inter-hospital transfers from physician to physician, which we assess based on a patient’s condition and care needs.
Community providers: if you are providing care to a child or youth in need of emergency psychiatric assessment, please transport them to their nearest emergency department. Providers can then refer the child or youth to BC Children’s Hospital's CAPE unit, as required.
Patients must be medically stable and not acutely under the influence of substances. Current mental health forms must be valid and complete (form 4.1 (PDF) and form 4.2 (PDF); or form 1 (PDF) and form 2 (PDF)).
Providers who are unsure whether to refer, please contact Compass Mental Health for guidance from a BC Children’s Hospital provider.
Referral steps
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Download and complete the referral form
Download the CAPE Referral Form (PDF) for inter-hospital transfers.
Complete the referral form in its entirety. We will not process incomplete referral forms so please include all of the requested information. Review the before- and after-care sections of the referral criteria document carefully.
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Submit the referral form
Submit the referral and the required information as instructed on the form.
Fax the referral to: 604-875-2099.
A member of the CAPE team will call you to discuss the referral within 24 hours.
Providers: if you would like an update on your referral, call: 604-875-2075.
Referral forms
CAPE Unit Interhospital Transfer Request Form
1 MB
Contact information
For questions regarding your referral, please call the CAPE unit directly.
Phone: 604-875-2075