People with psychosis are starting treatment in record time across the South of England following a drive to improve care, with many patients receiving treatment within two weeks of being referred.
The great majority of patients, who typically experience hallucinations and delusions, are now starting the treatment they need within two weeks of being referred.
The success was marked this week at the national Health and Care Innovation Expo 2017, where the South Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) programme was being featured as a ‘pop-up university’ event to share good practice across the NHS.
EIP services are youth-focused, community mental health teams that focus on recovery and hope. They work around the individual and their family, recognising that young people don’t want to attend hospital outpatient appointments and that their priorities are likely to be about social and occupational goals, as well as managing symptoms.
Services bring together specialists from psychiatry, psychology, social work and occupational therapy.
The EIP programme was set up by NHS England to ensure that new standards to help people with psychosis were implemented across the region, which stretches from Kent to the Isles of Scilly.
The key requirement since April 2016 is that at least 50% of individuals are moved onto an approved form of treatment within a fortnight of being referred.
Every single mental health provider of EIP services in the South also exceeded the 50% target in May 2017, with some achieving 100%.
Mr Nigel Acheson, Medical Director for NHS England in the South, said: “Psychosis can be terribly distressing for individuals and their loved ones, so it’s gratifying to see local mental health services across the South responding so well to this initiative.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work, training and collaboration to reach a point where so many people start to get the treatment they need within such a short time.
“Mental health is one of NHS England’s priorities. The EIP programme shows what can be done with real focus and determination across the sector, as we strive to make sure access to care is as good for people with mental health conditions as it is for those with physical conditions.”
