Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS)
EIPS is provided by NHS Dorset in collaboration with Rethink (previously the National Schizophrenia Fellowship) and covers 3 localities:
Dorchester and Bridport
Weymouth and Portland
Sherborne, Blandford and Shaftesbury
- Aims and goals of early intervention services
- Referral pathways and acceptance criteria
- Why intervene early?
Early Intervention in Psychosis Service Philosophy
Early intervention aims to promote an individuals recovery from psychosis by:
Early detection
More effective treatment at the beginning of the illness
Aims and Goals of Early Intervention Services
Early identification and treatment of psychosis
- Promotion of early recovery
- Minimisation of residual primary and secondary symptoms and relapse
- Provide youth friendly services emphasising social roles
- Support family and friends
- Promote personal control over psychosis
Referral pathways and acceptance criteria
Who can be referred?
All people, between the ages of 14 to 35, referred to the service with a suspicion of psychosis will receive an assessment.
Individuals who have been assessed by the service will be taken onto caseload if they are
Experiencing, or have recovered from, a functional psychotic illness,
AND they are within the first three years of their illness,
OR they have begun treatment of their illness within the last year.
Individuals who, after assessment, are not suffering from a defined psychotic illness, but appear at high risk of progressing to psychosis, will be offered follow-up and monitoring within three months.
Individuals, who, after assessment, are suffering from a non-psychotic disorder, will be referred to other appropriate agencies.
The Early Interventions in Psychosis Service will not take on individuals whose psychotic symptoms are the result of organic brain disorder or transient symptoms of drug intoxication or withdrawal.
Who can refer?
Referrals will be welcomed broadly from local Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTS), Youth Service and other youth organisations, Schools and other Educational Institutions, Children and Adolescent Mental Health Teams (CAMHS), General Practitioners, Carers, friends and from individuals themselves.
- Pathways to care information leaflet
- Guidance for general practice staff
- Young persons information leaflet
Why intervene early?
One certainty for people suffering from psychosis is that it can have devastating consequences for young people and their families. Psychosis is the most debilitating of psychiatric disorders. However, it is similar to other common disorders, in that the chances of getting well are improved if treatment is started at the earliest possible stage.
The new NHS Dorset came into being on 1 October 2006. The Trust was formed by the merger of North Dorset Primary Care Trust, South West Dorset Primary Care Trust and South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust.
If you need to contact services provided by one of the former primary care trusts, please use the existing telephone numbers in the relevant leaflets.