Early Intervention in Psychosis (age 14-65 years)

Referral forms and pathways

Reviewed on : 3 Oct 2016

Expires : 3 Oct 2018

Psychosis

CWPT see patients with mental health illnesses including:

Bi-polar with psychotic symptoms
Schizophrenia
Psychotic disorders including drug induced psychosis

Patients aged 14-65 presenting with a possible first psychotic episode – refer to the Early Intervention Psychosis Team (IPU 10)

Patients are also cared for in Recovery Teams (IPU 11-17)

Referral

Referrals can be accepted from patients, families or professionals

Patients presenting with psychosis or possible psychosis (known as At Risk Mental State – or ‘ARMS’) should wait no longer than 2 weeks from referral to assessment and or treatment.

Consult At Risk Mental State (ARMS) checklist below and also right for decision support.

Refer score more than 20 within 2 weeks

For individuals, their family and friends to assess for symptoms of psychosis

Score 1 point for each of these:

Spending more time alone Arguing with friends and family Your family are concerned Excess use of alcohol Use of street drugs (including cannabis)

Score 2 points for each of these:

Sleep difficulties Poor appetite Low mood Poor concentration Restlessness Tension or nervousness Less pleasure from things

Score 3 points for each of these:

*Feeling people are watching you* *Feeling or hearing things that others cannot*

Score 5 points for each of these:

*Feeling that the TV or radio are giving you messages * *Having unusual beliefs that you have never had before* Odd manner of thinking or speech Inappropriate moods Odd behaviour or appearance *Close family history of psychosis together with increased stress or deterioration in functioning*

If items marked * are scored, please speak with GP. If total score is 20 or more, please speak with your GP. [With acknowledgements to : Launer & Mackean (2000)]

Referring under 18s
If referring under 18s, consider making parents/carers aware of NICE family/carers information in right hand panel.

Consultant Psychiatrist Advice Line Monday to Friday 9:45am to 4:30pm

For referral, management and medication advice with formal letter to follow

Follow link

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Coventry Guidance

Contact details:

Between 9-5pm if you would like to discuss or make a referral directly to the Coventry team then you contact 02476 961150 and ask for Early Intervention in Psychosis.

(24 hours: you can also make referral routed through the generic single point of entry for mental health on 0300 200 0011, selecting option 1.)

Rugby Guidance

Contact details:

Between 9-5pm to discuss an existing open case to the North Warwickshire team contact 0300 200 2008 and ask for Early Intervention in Psychosis.