Development and implementation of early intervention services for young people with psychosis: case study.
BACKGROUND
The development of early intervention services for young people with first-episode psychosis is a priority internationally.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the development, implementation and impact of existing and newly formed early intervention services in England.


METHODS
Multiple-case study involving staff, users, carers and commissioners of 14 early intervention services.


RESULTS
Service numbers increased in response to national policy directives. They were still actively working with 90.6% of service users 12 months after inception. They were highly valued by users and carers as providing a personal service that contrasted with previous experiences of care. Tensions between providing a quality service and meeting case-load targets linked to future funding led teams to adopt a series of survival strategies with some unintended consequences.


CONCLUSIONS
Early intervention services are highly valued by consumers and engage users effectively after 12 months. Implementation of these services is threatened unless sufficient consistent funding is made available.
Lester
Helen
H
National Primary Care Research & Development Centre, 5th Floor Williamson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Helen.lester@manchester.ac.uk
Birchwood
Max
M
Bryan
Stirling
S
England
Elizabeth
E
Rogers
Helen
H
Sirvastava
Namita
N
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult