Development of an early intervention service within a diverse inner city area

Abstract

Within the UK, it is envisaged that Early Intervention Services will be developed nation‐wide by 2004 and these are expected to adhere to a strict model of service structure and provision. This uniform approach seems to lack the flexibility required to cater for local needs. Therefore, it would appear more appropriate to develop Early Intervention Services based on assessments of first‐episode psychosis (FEP) within the context of the local mental health economy and current service provision. A survey of FEP cases within South and West London revealed that existing mental health services were unable to adequately provide specialist care to this client group. As a result, it was decided to set up a tertiary service to provide comprehensive care to FEP patients based within the community. This package comprises assertive engagement, intensive keyworker support, atypical antipsychotics, psychosocial interventions, specialist psychological treatments, occupational therapy and educational/vocational rehabilitation. An ongoing evaluation of this specially tailored service is being conducted, focussing on patient characteristics, pathways to care, service delivery, patient outcomes and patient, carer and referrer satisfaction.