An early intervention for psychosis service as compared with treatment as usual for first psychotic episodes in a standard community mental health team. Basic concepts and the service

Abstract

Early intervention in psychotic illness is a key area of development in community mental health. In this first of a series of articles the basic concepts of early intervention in psychosis are described, as is the present policy of the UK government for developing early intervention services throughout England. The development of an early intervention service in Luton, Bedfordshire is then described. Subsequent articles will describe the three year outcomes of this service, compared with treatment as usual in a community mental health team.